Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer in Weymouth is not identified on my bank's conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the quality of the firm’s conveyancing?
That is more than likely a wrong assumption to make. There are all sorts of perfectly plausible explanations. Just recently a report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 5 reasons are as follows: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. Where you are concerned you should contact the Weymouth conveyancing practice and enquire why they are no longer on the approved list for your mortgage company.
Can you explain why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Weymouth is more expensive?
Weymouth leasehold conveyancing transactions usually involve additional investigations than freeholds including investigating the Lease, liaising with the Landlord such as serving applicable notices on the Landlord or managing agent, obtaining up-to-date service charge and management information, obtaining Landlord’s consents and reviewing management accounts and formation documents.
I am selling our home in Weymouth and according to the buyers it appears that there is a risk of it being constructed land that was not decontaminated. Any high street Weymouth conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the buyers are using a nationwide conveyancing firm as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Weymouth. Having lived in Weymouth for six years we know of no issue. Should we contact our local Authority to get clarification need.
It would appear that you have a conveyancing firm currently acting for you. What do they say? You should check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same illness)
Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified during conveyancing in Weymouth?
Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Weymouth. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’
How does conveyancing in Weymouth differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Weymouth approach us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is completed. This is because new home sellers in Weymouth tend to purchase the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Weymouth or who has acted in the same development.
I was told by my bank that their panel lawyers operate no sale no fee basis for conveyancing in Weymouth. Our purchase aborted yet the lawyers have requested search fees! They say the fees are independent!
Weymouth conveyancing search charges are disbursements not legal fees as these are due to a third party.