I was recommended to a solicitor who has given a fee estimate £1700 for freehold conveyancing in East Ham. I’m looking to sell a Victorian house for £125,000. Is this expensive? Is it in excess of the average fee for conveyancing in East Ham?
The estimate does seem a tad overpriced. Where you are willing to expend time scrutinising charges you could shave off some of the expense by say £100 plus VAT. That being said, you couldcome to regret opting for an an unknown lawyer. Don't forget to check the firm can represent your bank. Do make use of our comparison tool to choose a East Ham conveyancing practice on the banks member panel which can often include conveyancing solicitors in East Ham.
I am the registered owner of a freehold residence in East Ham but still charged rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in East Ham and has limited impact for conveyancing in East Ham but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.
Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of new rentcharges post 1977.
Old rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be extinguished.
I used Stirling Law several years ago for my conveyancing in East Ham. I now require my file however the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?
Do call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate 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 East Ham 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.
How does conveyancing in East Ham differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in East Ham contact us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is built. This is because builders in East Ham usually purchase 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 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in East Ham or who has acted in the same development.
Due to the input of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in East Ham before retaining conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. My surveyor has said that some lenders tend refuse to give a mortgage on a flying freehold premises.
It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different instructions from Nationwide. Should you wish to call us we can look into this further with the relevant lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in East Ham. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in East Ham especially if they are accustomed to such properties in East Ham.
I am due to consider costs for conveyancing in East Ham from various conveyancer and appoint one. Am I right to get them to sit tight until I I have an offer accepted on a house.
We would recommend that you only ask your conveyancing practitioner to open a file and apply for searches after the sales memo has been sent by the selling agent especially as East Ham conveyancing searches are not cheap.