I am obtaining a mortgage offer from Nat West. I would like to retain the legal services of a Licensed Conveyancer in Barnet. Does the Nat West Conveyancing panel exclude Licensed Conveyancers?
The Nat West approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders, represented by the CML or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
I am need of leasehold conveyancing for a flat in a relatively new development (6 years built) in Barnet. The vast majority the appartments have already been occupied. Do I need carry out the conveyancing searches for my conveyancing in Barnet?
You would be taking a significant risk in not carrying out Barnet conveyancing searches. Without searches you have no clarity over flooding, environmental etc which may mean you walk away due to potential problems down the line. If you are buying mortgage free there is no legal necessity to have them, but we would seriously advise in no uncertain terms that you have them. Where speed and cost are primary issues you should consider with your conveyancer about the option of search insurance
My relative suggested that where I am purchasing in Barnet I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
This is a search is usually quoted for as part of the standard Barnet conveyancing searches. It is not a small report of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out important information about Barnet around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Barnet Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information concerning Barnet.
I am looking for a flat up to £235,500 and found one close by in Barnet I like with open areas and railway links nearby, however it only has 52 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Barnet for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a lease with such few years left?
If you require a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term may be an issue. Discount the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the property for at least twenty four months 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 current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor about this.
I am looking into buying my first house which is in Barnet and I am already nervous. I couldn't find anything specific about Barnet. Conveyancing will be needed in due course but do you know about the Barnet area? or perhaps some other tips you can share?
Rather than looking online forget looking online you should go and have a look at Barnet. In the meantime here are some basic statistics that we found
I have recently had an offer accepted on a leasehold flat in Barnet and the mortgage adviser that we are dealing with suggested his lawyer. They quoted £800 including VAT and 3rd party costs. Does this sound like a good deal?
Don't just go on one quote. You should obtain like-for-like quotes for your conveyancing in Barnet. Then pick one that you trust and crucially, is on the approved panel of the lender that you are sourcing your mortgage from.