Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer in Abridge is not identified on my mortgage company's conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the standard of the firm’s work?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. There are plenty of plausible explanations. Just recently a report by the solicitors regulator revealed 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 5 reasons are as follows: (1) low volume 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 Abridge conveyancing practice and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for your bank.
Will conveyancers request money up-front for conveyancing in Abridge?
Where you are retaining lawyers for conveyancing in Abridge your solicitor will ask you to provide them with monies to cover the the cost of the conveyancing searches. Ordinarily this is asked for to cover the fees of the Local Authority Search. When the down payment is payable against the sale price then this should be needed immediately in advance of exchange of contracts. The final balance that is due should be sent to your lawyer a couple of days ahead of the completion date.
I am buying a new build apartment in Abridge. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build conveyancing.
Here are examples of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Abridge
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Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Please supply a car parking plan.
How can the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 impact my business premises in Abridge and how can your lawyers assist?
The particular law that you refer to affords security of tenure to business lessees, giving them the a statutory right to make a request to court for a renewal tenancy and remain in occupation at the end of an expired lease. There are certain specified grounds that a landlord can refrain from granting a lease renewal and the rules are involved. Fees are different for commercial conveyancing. Abridge is one of our hundreds of areas of the UK in which the firms we work with are based
Back In 2001, I bought a leasehold flat in Abridge. Conveyancing and Yorkshire Building Society mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1996. The conveyancing solicitor in Abridge who previously acted has long since retired. Any advice?
First make enquiries of HMLR to make sure that this person is indeed the new freeholder. You do not need to instruct a Abridge conveyancing solicitor to do this as it can be done on-line for a few pound. You should note that in any event, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.
I have given up trying to purchase the freehold in Abridge. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?
Where there is a absentee landlord or where there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant statutes it is possible to make an application to the LVT to calculate the price.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement decision for a Abridge residence is 201 & 201a St. Barnabas Road in October 2013. The Tribunal decided that the price to be paid by the Applicants for the freehold interest is £20,071. This case affected 2 flats. The unexpired lease term was 69.26 years.
When it comes to my conveyancing in Abridge should I be paying VAT on the following: (1) Land reg fee on purchase (2) Pre - completion search fee (3) SDLT E submission on purchase (4) Bank TT fee
(1) Land reg fee on purchase - No (2) Pre - completion search fees -No, (such conveyancing searches are HMLR ones and means £4 and possibly £2 bankruptcy per name on your mortgage) (3) SDLT E submission on your purchase - There is no VAT on Stamp Duty. However if the firm is charging a stamp duty e-submission fee as part of their services - some Abridge conveyancers do - that will incur VAT(4) Bank transfer fee - Yes it is for the solicitor's time in submitting the funds this way.