I am obtaining a offer of a home loan from Nat West. I would like to employ the services of a Licensed Conveyancer in Chatham. Does the Nat West Solicitor panel allow for conveyancers regulated by the CLC?
The Nat West conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders, represented by the Council or Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
My wife and I have recently acquired a property in Chatham. We have noticed several problems with the property which we consider were omitted in the conveyancing searches. Is there anything we can do? Can you clarify the type of searches that needed to have been carried out as part of conveyancing in Chatham?
It is not clear from the question as what problems have arisen and if they are unique to conveyancing in Chatham. Conveyancing searches and due diligence initiated as part of the buying process are supposed to help avoid problems. As part of the legal transfer of property, a property owner fills in a form called a Seller’s Property Information Form. answers provided is inaccurate, you may have a misrepresentation claim against the seller for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Chatham.
The Chatham conveyancing solicitors that I recently instructed on my purchase in Chatham have without warning shut down. I only went with them because I had to have a firm on the TSB conveyancing panel and my preferred Chatham lawyer was not. I wrote them a cheque for £250 in advance. What should be my next steps?
Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then let them know straight away so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to reasons beyond your control. Most sellers would be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You should appoint new lawyers that are on the TSB conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money, it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new lawyers should be in a position to help.
Is it correct that all Chatham CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors are on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing list of approved firms?
A selection of banks and building societies now utilise CQS as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.
We have agreed to purchase a house in Chatham. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Co-operative be concerned?
Given that your lender is Co-operative your lawyer must comply with the formal requirements outlined in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Co-operative. The CML Handbook stipulates minimum specifications for solar panel roof-space leases, and property lawyers are required to report to Co-operative where a lease fails to meet these requirements. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not limited to Chatham.
Completion of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Chatham. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How do I make a complaint?
Almost all lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Team at head office. In most cases complaints to a lender are resolved effectively and efficiently. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.
What does a local search tell me about the property I am buying in Chatham?
Chatham conveyancing often starts with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search company such as PSG The local search plays a central part in many a Chatham conveyancing purchase; that is if you don’t want any unpleasant surprises after you move into your new home. The search will supply information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen topic sections.
I have been on the look out for a ground for flat up to £195,000 and identified one round the corner in Chatham I like with amenity areas and railway links nearby, the downside is that it's only got 61 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Chatham suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a lease with such few years left?
Should you need a home loan that many years will likely be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you could request that they commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor regarding this.