I have given 2 months notice to my existing landlord and have to be out of my rented apartment in Earls Court by the end of next month. Conveyancing for my house purchase is progressing. Can I complete in a couple of weeks as I wish to avoid having to find temporary accommodation?
It is unwise to give notice for your tenancy unless you have exchanged. Assuming that you have not already done so, contact to your lawyer and ask them to they cajole the other lawyers, try to get a realistic time scale from them that all parties will look to achieve
There are a variety of conveyancing solicitors in Earls Court but how do I know who I should use?
It would be unwise to be tempted by the cheapest Earls Court conveyancing quote. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to property lawyers. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.
I am buying a property in Earls Court. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Skipton be concerned?
As your lender is Skipton your lawyer must comply with the formal instructions contained in Part 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Skipton. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook sets out minimum specifications for solar panel roof-space leases, and property lawyers are required to report to Skipton where a lease does not meet these specifications. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties nationwide and is not limited to Earls Court.
I've digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Earls Court solicitor - who is on the Principality conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Principality will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Principality will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your conveyancing practitioner will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Earls Court postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Principality, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Earls Court.
Will commercial conveyancing searches reveal proposed roadworks that may affect a commercial site in Earls Court?
Many commercial conveyancing solicitors in Earls Court will perform a SiteSolutions Highways report as it reduces the time that conveyancers invest in sourcing accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Earls Court. The search result provides definitive data on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Earls Court.
For each commercial conveyancing transaction in Earls Court it is crucial to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. The absence of identifying developments where adoption procedures have not been dealt with adequately could result in delays to Earls Court commercial conveyancing transactions as well as pose a risk to future plans for the site. These searches are not ordered for domestic conveyancing in Earls Court.
How does conveyancing in Earls Court differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Earls Court contact us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is completed. This is because house builders in Earls Court typically acquire the real estate, 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 Earls Court or who has acted in the same development.
Is it best to use a Earls Court conveyancing lawyer in close proximity to the house I am hoping to buy? I have an old university friend who can deal with the legal formalities but his firm is located approximately 350miles drive away.
The benefit of a high street Earls Court conveyancing firm is that you can drop in to sign paperwork, present your ID and apply pressure on them where appropriate. They will also have local intelligence which is a plus. That being said it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If if people you trust used your friend and in the main were content that must trump using an unknown Earls Court conveyancing solicitor just because they are based in the area.
Why can't I complete my conveyancing in Earls Court on a bank holiday?
Because on completion the sale price will be transferred electronically between the banks of the buyer and seller's property lawyer and currently this can only take place on a working day. It is not possible to complete on a weekend either.