We are purchasing a newbuild apartment in Chingford with a loan from Accord Mortgages Ltd.We use our Chingford conveyancing solicitor but Accord Mortgages Ltd says his firm is not on their approved list of firms. We have to appoint a Accord Mortgages Ltd panel lawyer or retain our high street solicitor and fork out for a Accord Mortgages Ltd panel lawyer to represent them. This seems very unfair; Can we not simply insist that Accord Mortgages Ltd use our lawyer?
No, not really. The home loan offered to you contains terms and conditions, a common one being that lawyers will be on the Accord Mortgages Ltd conveyancing panel. Until recently, most mortgage companies had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Accord Mortgages Ltd
I require expedited conveyancing in Chingford as I have an ultimatum to exchange contracts inside 2 weeks. Thankfully I do not require a mortgage. Can I decline from having conveyancing searches to save money and time?
As you are are a cash purchaser you are at free not to have searches conducted although no solicitor would recommend that you don't. Drawing on our experience of conveyancing in Chingford the following are examples of issues that can be revealed and adversely impact the marketability of the property: Refused Planning Applications, Outstanding Charges, Outstanding Grants, Unadopted Roads,...
I used Wolstenholmes several years ago for my conveyancing in Chingford. Now, I need my documents however cannot find the solicitor. What do I do?
You should contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Chingford of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
I opted to have a survey carried out on a property in Chingford prior to appointing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the property. The surveyor has said that some banks will refuse to grant a mortgage on such a house.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different instructions from Halifax. If you call us we can check with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Chingford. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
In surfing the internet for the words cheap conveyancing in Chingford it brings up many conveyancersin the area. How do I determine which is the suitable conveyancer for me?
The ideal way of finding a suitable conveyancer is via personal testimonial, so ask friends and those you trust who have purchased a property in Chingford or the local estate agent or mortgage broker. Fees for conveyancing in Chingford differ, so it's sensible to obtain a minimum of four fee estimates from varying types of conveyancers. Be sure to obtain confirmation that the charges are assured not to increase.
I today plan to offer on a house that seems to be perfect, at a reasonable figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have just been informed that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns buying a leasehold house in Chingford. Conveyancing lawyers have are soon to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?
The majority of houses in Chingford are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Chingford in which case you should be shopping around for a Chingford conveyancing practitioner and check that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as obtaining the freeholder’spermission to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your lawyer should report to you on the legal implications.