We are planning to acquire a house and require a conveyancing solicitor in Chippenham who is on the Barclays conveyancing panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a solicitor?
Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Barclays . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Chippenham.
My house in Chippenham is up for sale and I have accepted an offer. Does my solicitor need to be on the Barclays conveyancing panel in order to deal with paying off my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Barclays conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. It might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently in recent years.
Various internet forums that I have come across warn that are a common reason for obstruction in Chippenham house deals. Is that correct?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published conclusions of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure within the common causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are not likely to feature in any holding up conveyancing in Chippenham.
I am looking for a flat up to £305k and found one close by in Chippenham I like with amenity areas and station in the vicinity, however it's only got 52 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Chippenham suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?
If you need a home loan that many years will be problematic. Discount the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current owner has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you can ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor regarding this.
I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Chippenham for my house move. Is there any facility to check a solicitor's complaints history with the legal regulator?
You may search for documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions arising from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find details Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors record, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator could monitor telephone calls for training purposes.
I've found a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable figure which is making it more attractive. I have since found out that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Chippenham. Conveyancing solicitors have are soon to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?
The majority of houses in Chippenham are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area who can assist with the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Chippenham in which case you should be shopping around for a Chippenham conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they have experience in advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions such as obtaining the freeholder’spermission to conduct alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the house is located on an estate. Your conveyancer should report to you on the legal implications.
Leasehold Conveyancing in Chippenham - Sample of Questions you should consider before buying
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You should be aware that where the lease has no more than eighty years it will have adverse implications on the marketability of the flat. Check with your lender that they are happy with residual term of the lease. A short lease means that you will probably have to extend the lease sooner rather than later and it is worth discovering what this will be. Remember, in most cases you will need to own the premises for 24 months before you are entitled to exercise a lease extension. Does the lease include onerous restrictions?