I have given 2 months notice to my current landlord and have to leave my rented property in Wollaston by the end of next month. Conveyancing for my house purchase is progressing. How realistic is it to complete in a couple of weeks as I wish to avoid having to find short term accommodation?
The normal practice is not to give notice on a rental unless you have exchanged. If you have not previously done so, update to your solicitor and request that they chase the other side, try to get a realistic time scale from them that everyone will look to achieve
In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Wollaston? Why is this being asked of me?
Wollaston conveyancing solicitors as well as nationwide property practitioners accross the UK have an obligation under money laundering regulations to verify the ID of any client in order to ensure that clients are who they say they are.
Conveyancing clients will need to provide two forms of certified ID; proof of ID (usually a Passport or Driving Licence) and proof of address (usually a Bank Statement less than 3 months old).
Confirmation of the origin of monies is also required under the money laundering regulations as lawyers have a duty to check that the money you are using to acquire a property (be it the exchange deposit or the total purchase amount if you are buying without a mortgage) has originated from an acceptable source (such as an inheritance) as opposed to the proceeds of criminal activity.
I am purchasing a property in Wollaston. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Virgin Money be concerned?
Given that your lender is Virgin Money your lawyer must follow the formal requirements set out in Part two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Virgin Money. The CML Handbook stipulates minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancing practitioners are required to report to Virgin Money where a lease fails to comply with these requirements. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not limited to Wollaston.
The formalities of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Wollaston. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I would like to complain about the lender. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
Most banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Department at head office. In most cases complaints to a lender are resolved very quickly. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service with full details of your complaint.
I was told four weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by RBS. Is it usual for RBS to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Wollaston is approved on their conveyancing panel? RBS have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their PI Insurance.
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for RBS to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the RBS conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
A colleague suggested that where I am buying in Wollaston I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?
A search of this type is occasionally quoted for as part of the standard Wollaston conveyancing searches. It is a large report of about 40 pages, listing and detailing important information about Wollaston around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Wollaston Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime statistics, Wollaston Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data concerning Wollaston.
How does conveyancing in Wollaston differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Wollaston come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is finished. This is because builders in Wollaston tend to buy the real estate, 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Wollaston or who has acted in the same development.
What does commercial conveyancing in Wollaston cover?
Wollaston conveyancing for business premises covers a wide array of guidance, offered by qualified solicitors, relating to business property. By way of example, this area of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more commonly, the transfer of existing business tenancies or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial loans and the termination of leases.