We note that you have a search directory listing law firms on the Barclays conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a referral fee if I appoint them for our own conveyancing in Bickley?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Barclays conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Bickley.
We previously selected conveyancing lawyers based in Bickley on the Nationwide solicitor approved list. They have just invoiced me an additional sum for handling the Nationwide mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee specified by Nationwide?
As unfair as it may seem, as long as it’s in their Terms and Conditions or estimate then yes your conveyancing practitioner is entitled to charge a fee for this. The charge is not dictated by Nationwide but by your Bickley lawyer. Plenty of firms on the Nationwide panel will levy ’dealing with mortgage’ fee and others do not.
I am expecting a DIP from Barclays this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Barclays recommend any Bickley solicitors on the Barclays conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?
You will need to appoint Bickley solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Barclays conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Barclays through the process.
I have paid off my mortgage with Virgin Money. I assume I don't need a Bickley property lawyer on the Virgin Money panel to discharge the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm.
If you have finished paying off your Virgin Money mortgage, they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Virgin Money mortgage from the register. Virgin Money, and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
- but are not moving to another property
- where Virgin Money has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
- Virgin Money has instructed the Land Registry to do so
What can a local search tell me about the property my wife and I buying in Bickley?
Bickley conveyancing often commences with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search company for example Onsearch The local search is essential in every Bickley conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any nasty surprises after you move into your property. The search should provide information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the property (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen subject sections.
How does conveyancing in Bickley differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Bickley contact us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because house builders in Bickley tend to acquire the land, 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 property lawyers 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 Bickley or who has acted in the same development.
My cousin has urged me to instruct his lawyers for conveyancing in Bickley. Should I find my own conveyancer?
No doubt the ideal way to choose a conveyancing solicitor is to seek guidance from friends or family who have previously instructed the conveyancer that you are are thinking of instructing.
I have been told by many family members that it should take six to eight weeks for Bickley conveyancing to complete.This was four weeks ago. The paperwork was only sent to my solicitor yesterday so does the clock start running now?
You should not rely on moving on a specific date until exchange of contracts takes place. Whatever assurances the people you are purchasing from or selling to make, or your conveyancer makes don't rely on them. More stress is caused to buyers and sellers by unfulfilled assurances than any other issue when it comes to conveyancing in Bickley.