I was recommended to a lawyer who has sent a quote for £1200 for freehold conveyancing in Andover. I’m looking to sell a Georgian house for £250,000. Are these conveyancing fees excessive? Is it in excess of the average fee for conveyancing in Andover?
The charges are a little high. If you shop around you might get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by as much as £100 plus VAT. That being said, you maylive to rue opting for an a cheaper conveyancer. Remember to ensure the solicitor can act for your lender. Do employ our search tool to locate a Andover conveyancing practice on the banks member panel which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Andover.
My wife and I buying a end of terrace house in Andover. Our aim is to convert the garage to a playroom at the house.Will the conveyancing process involve investigations to ascertain if these alterations are allowed?
Your conveyancer will check the registered title as conveyancing in Andover will occasionally identify restrictions in the title deeds which restrict categories of changes or need the permission of another owner. Certain extensions need local authority planning permissions and approval under the building regulations. Certain areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or affect extensions. You should check these issues with a surveyor prior to committing yourself to a purchase.
We have agreed to purchase a house in Andover. One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Co-operative have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
As you are obtaining a mortgage with Co-operative your lawyer must comply with the formal instructions set out in Part 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Co-operative. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook includes minimum provisions for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancers are required to report to Co-operative where a lease fails to comply with these conditions. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not restricted to Andover.
About to purchase flat in Andover. I have received an online quote from a licenced conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Lender if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that the Andover conveyancer is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel.
I purchased a terraced Georgian property in Andover. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Leeds Building Society. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are a couple of entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same property. Is it worth asking Leeds Building Society to clarify?
You should read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Andover and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also enquire as to the position with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the work.
Just had an offer accepted on a new build apartment in Andover. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.
Here are examples of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Andover
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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. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision.
I opted to have a survey carried out on a property in Andover prior to instructing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. The surveyor advised that some banks may refuse to give a mortgage on this type of house.
It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can investigate further via the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Andover. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Andover especially if they regularly deal with such properties in Andover.
I've recently bought a leasehold property in Andover. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before my ownership?
Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.
If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).
Andover Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries Prior to buying
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Can you inform me if there are any major works anticipated that will increase the service costs? Who manages the building? Is there a share of the freehold?