It is 10 years ago since I purchased my property in Cranfield. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been appointed on the sale but I can't find the title deeds. Is this a major issue?
You need not be too concerned. Firstly there is a chance that the deeds will be kept by the mortgage company or they could be in the possession of the solicitor who oversaw the purchase. Secondly the chances are that the property will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing lawyers acquiring up to date copy of the land registers. Nearly all conveyancing in Cranfield involves registered property but in the unlikely event that your home is not registered it adds to the complexity but is resolvable.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Cranfield. My lender is Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 29/11/2024, the requirements read as follows :
How does conveyancing in Cranfield differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Cranfield contact us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is finished. This is because builders in Cranfield tend to buy the site, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Cranfield or who has acted in the same development.
I opted to have a survey carried out on a property in Cranfield prior to appointing solicitors. I have been told that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. The surveyor advised that some banks tend refuse to issue a mortgage on this type of premises.
It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different requirements for example to Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can investigate further via the relevant lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Cranfield. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
Should I instruct a Cranfield conveyancing solicitor in close proximity to the house I am buying? I have an old university friend who can execute the legal work but his firm is located 300kilometers away.
The primary upside of using a high street Cranfield conveyancing practice is that you can visit the firm to execute documents, present your ID and pester them where appropriate. They will also have local knowledge which is a bonus. That being said it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If other friends have instructed your friend and in the main were impressed that should trump using an unknown Cranfield conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being round the corner.
My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Cranfield. Conveyancing and HSBC Bank mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1992. The conveyancing solicitor in Cranfield who acted for me is not around. What should I do?
The first thing you should do is contact HMLR to make sure that this person is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to instruct a Cranfield conveyancing lawyer to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for less than a fiver. You should note that regardless, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.
Leasehold Conveyancing in Cranfield - A selection of Queries before Purchasing
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What restrictions are contained in the Cranfield Lease? Who manages the block? What is the service charge and ground rent on the apartment?