Me and my wife are purchasing a flat in Westminster. My lawyer has never been on on the lender approved panel. Am I still permitted to continue with my Westminster conveyancing solicitor even though they are excluded from the bank approved list?
Various options include
- Complete the purchase with your existing Westminster conveyancer but your mortgage company will undoubtedly retain a solicitor from their approved panel. This will result in additional charges and probable delay.
- Get a fresh lawyer to act in the purchase, making sure they are on the mortgage company conveyancing panel.
- Convince your property lawyer to attempt to join the mortgage company panel
Can the conveyancing practitioners identified via your search app conduct right to buy conveyancing in Westminster?
We have identified a variety of conveyancing practitioners who can conduct right to buy conveyancing You should call us to secure a conveyancing quote.
I used Wolstenholmes several years ago for my conveyancing in Westminster. I now require my papers but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?
You should contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Westminster of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously instructed, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build flat in Westminster. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.
Set out below are examples of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Westminster
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Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared.
Given that I will soon part with £400,000 on a terraced house in Westminster I wish to have a conversation with the solicitor regarding theconveyancing before instructing the firm. Can this be arranged?
Absolutely - we would be delighted to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you speaking to the solicitor due to be doing your conveyancing in Westminster.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is an important person, not a matter reference. The practices that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are provided with for residential conveyancing in Westminster should be the figure that you are charged.
What advice can you give us when it comes to appointing a Westminster conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?
When appointing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Westminster conveyancing firm) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you speak with several firms including non Westminster conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions might be of use:
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What volume of lease extensions has the firm carried out in Westminster in the last year? Can they put you in touch with clients in Westminster who can give a testimonial?
Having spent years of dialogue we cannot agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Westminster. Does the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal have jurisdiction to calculate the appropriate figures?
Where there is a missing landlord or if there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 it is possible to make an application to the LVT to assess the sum to be paid.
An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Westminster property is Flats 12A & 19, Evelyn Mansions Carlisle Place in June 2009. The Tribunal held that the price to be paid for the new lease of Flat 12A is £168,824, For the other flat the price was set at £169,110 This case related to 2 flats. The unexpired term as at the valuation date was 56 years.