My husband and I are getting closer to an exchange on a flat in Berkshire and my mum and dad have sent the 10% deposit to my lawyer. I am now informed that as the deposit has not arrived from me my solicitor needs to disclose this to my mortgage company. I am advised that, in also acting for the bank he must advise them that the balance of the purchase price is not just from me. I disclosed to the mortgage company regarding my parents' contribution when I applied for the home loan, so is it really necessary for him to raise this?
The conveyancer is duty bound to check with the bank to ensure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. The solicitor can only notify this to your lender if you permit them to, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
A colleague suggested that if I am purchasing in Berkshire I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?
This is a search is sometimes quoted for as part of the standard Berkshire conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing important information about Berkshire around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Berkshire Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Berkshire Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data about Berkshire.
My wife and I purchased a renovated Georgian property in Berkshire. Conveyancing practitioner represented me and Nottingham 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, another for leasehold under the matching property. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?
You should assess 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 Berkshire and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also question the position with your conveyancing lawyer who conducted the conveyancing.
How does conveyancing in Berkshire differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Berkshire contact us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because new home sellers in Berkshire 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 used to new build conveyancing in Berkshire or who has acted in the same development.
I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor for leasehold conveyancing in Berkshire. I've land on a site which appears to be the ideal offering If it is possible to get all formalities done via web that would be preferable. Should I be wary? What should out be looking out for?
As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?
I am planning to acquire a flat and need a conveyancing solicitor in Berkshire who is on the bank approved panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a Berkshire solicitor?
Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for the bank who conduct conveyancing in Berkshire. We dont recommend any particular firm.