I own a freehold residence in Easthampstead but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in Easthampstead and has limited impact for conveyancing in Easthampstead 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 have existed for many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.
Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.
We just had an offer accepted to purchase with Coventry BS. We have called around locally but cant to find a Easthampstead conveyancing firm on the Coventry BS approved list. Please you assist?
Feel free to make the most of the find a lender approved solicitor tool on this site. Pick the mortgage company and type Easthampstead or your preferred area and you will discover a number of lawyer based in Easthampstead or near you.
I've digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Easthampstead solicitor - who is on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Virgin Money will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Virgin Money 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 property lawyer 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 Easthampstead postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Virgin Money, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Easthampstead.
RBS have agreed my mortgage in principle, my bid on a house in Easthampstead has been accepted, what are the next steps?
Your estate agent will need to know who your solicitors are (be sure the solicitors are on the lender’s panel). Telephone RBS or your financial adviser and finalise any relevant forms. RBS will appoint a valuer who will get in contact with the selling agent or seller to book a slot for the valuation to occur. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a week to receive the mortgage offer. RBS will issue the offer to you and your conveyancing practitioners. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Easthampstead.
I have finally had an offer on an apartment in Easthampstead accepted, but there is a chain. The sellers have placed an offer on a property, but it’s not been accepted yet, and have viewings of other apartments in the pipeline. I have instructed a high street conveyancing solicitor in Easthampstead. What should be my next step? At what stage should I apply for the mortgage with RBS?
It is normal to have concerns where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket prematurely (home loan application is approx one thousand pounds, then valuation, Easthampstead conveyancing search charges, etc). First, you should check that your solicitor is on the RBS approved list. Concerning the subsequent steps this very much dictated by the circumstances of your case, motivation for this property and on the state of the market. In a buoyant market many buyers will apply for a home loan with RBS and pay for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they pay their conveyancer to proceed with searches.
A friend advised me that where I am buying in Easthampstead I should ask my conveyancer to carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
A search of this type is occasionally included in the estimate for your Easthampstead conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing significant information about Easthampstead around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Local Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information regarding Easthampstead.
Is it simple use your search facility to choose a conveyancing solicitor in Easthampstead on the authorised to act for my lender?
Step one is to choose a lender such as Nationwide Building Society, The Royal Bank of Scotland or Britannia then specify your preferred area for example Easthampstead. Conveyancing firms in Easthampstead and beyond should be shown.
I am looking for a conveyancing practitioner in Easthampstead for my home move. Is there any facility to check a firm’s complaints history with the legal regulator?
One may read documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from investigations commenced on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find details Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may monitor call for training reasons.