Is there a reason to instruct a Christchurch conveyancing solicitors firm when national conveyancers are easier on the wallet?
To take your time to find shop around for conveyancing costs in Christchurch and you should seek an affordable fee calculation but don’t become consumed with scouring the internet for the cheapest Christchurch conveyancer. Appointing the right conveyancer can mark the difference between a seamless and a distressing house move. You need to ensure that you have expert guidance from a trusted conveyancer. Emails can't be as helpful as a telephone discussion and can never replicate a face to face meeting. Our partner firms will appoint you a qualified and experienced conveyancing solicitor who can deal with your conveyancing from from the outset to completion, providing a level of hand holding that you are unlikely to received from an web based conveyancer. Our lawyers will update you on headway making sure that you are never in the dark. Should it ever be necessary to call the firm you will be sure who to ask for and they will be sure you're not left wondering what's going on.
Can you explain why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Christchurch is more expensive?
In short, leasehold conveyancing in Christchurch and elsewhere usually involve additional due diligence compared to freehold transactions. This includes analysing the lease terms, liaising with the landlord about serving required notices, obtaining up-to-date service charge and management information, securing the landlord’s consents and reviewing management accounts. The obligations on both the landlord and the tenant in the lease need to be studied by the buyer’s conveyancing team and read from beginning to end – regardless of the fact the lease has passed through many different property solicitors hands since it was first granted.
My wife and I buying a 4 bedroom semi-detached house in Christchurch. The intention is to convert the garage to an office at the property.Will the conveyancing process include checks to ascertain if these alterations are prohibited?
Your solicitor should review the deeds as conveyancing in Christchurch can occasionally identify restrictions in the title deeds which restrict categories of changes or require the consent of a 3rd party. Some extensions call for local authority planning permissions and approval in accordance building regulations. Certain locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or impact extensions. You should check these issues with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.
Is it the case that all Christchurch solicitor practices on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel are regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel they would need to be governed by the SRA. Some banks do permit licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such practice would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
I was told three weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by Clydesdale. Is it usual for Clydesdale to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Christchurch is approved on their conveyancing panel? Clydesdale have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their PI Insurance.
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Clydesdale to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
My wife and I purchased a terraced Georgian property in Christchurch. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Santander. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold under the exact same property. Is it worth asking Santander to clarify?
You need to read 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 Christchurch and other areas of 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 lenders. You can also enquire as to the position with the conveyancing practitioner who conducted the conveyancing.
How does conveyancing in Christchurch differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Christchurch come to us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is built. This is because new home sellers in Christchurch tend to buy 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 Christchurch or who has acted in the same development.
What advice can you give us when it comes to choosing a Christchurch conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?
When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Christchurch conveyancing practice) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Christchurch conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions could be helpful:
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What are the charges for lease extension conveyancing?
I am the registered owner of a 1 bedroom flat in Christchurch, conveyancing was carried out 7 years ago. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Comparable properties in Christchurch with a long lease are worth £195,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £45 charged once a year. The lease expires on 21st October 2090
You have 64 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £14,300 and £16,400 plus professional fees.
The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to provide the actual costs without more detailed investigations. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be other issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward based on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.