We're in Holland Park, FTBs purchasing with a mortgage (lender is Co-operative , and our lawyer is on the Co-operative conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the Co-operative conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no lawyer should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.
I am buying a property and the conveyancer has mentioned Chancel Repair for which the property may be liable given it’s proximity to the area of such a church. She has recommended insurance. Is this really required for conveyancing in Holland Park
Unless a previous purchase of the property completed post 12 October 2013 you may take it that conveyancing practitioners carrying out conveyancing in Holland Park to continue to propose a a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.
I used Stirling Law several years past for my conveyancing in Holland Park. Now, I need the documents however the law firm has closed. What do I do?
You should call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate 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 Holland Park of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
How does conveyancing in Holland Park differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Holland Park contact us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is finished. This is because developers in Holland Park typically 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 conveyancers 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 Holland Park or who has acted in the same development.
I opted to have a survey done on a property in Holland Park in advance of instructing solicitors. I have been told that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. The surveyor advised that some mortgage companies tend not give a mortgage on this type of property.
It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different requirements for example to Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can look into this further via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Holland Park. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Holland Park especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Holland Park.
I've found a house that appears to be perfect, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Holland Park. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been appointed. Will they explain the issues?
Most houses in Holland Park are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Holland Park so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Holland Park conveyancing solicitor and check that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example obtaining the landlord’sconsent to carry out changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the house is part of an estate. Your solicitor will appraise you on the various issues.