We're in Eltham, First time buyers buying with a mortgage (lender is Barclays , and our lawyer is on the Barclays conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the Barclays conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no solicitor should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.
Is there a list of UBS panel solicitors in Eltham on the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Website?
Unfortunately not yet. There is no such facility on the CML or Building Society Association sites. A small selection of lenders make their panel listings visible online. If you are looking for a Eltham conveyancer on the UBS please make the most of our tool.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Eltham off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Clydesdale. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Clydesdale, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel.
I recently had an offer agreed on an apartment in Eltham. My financial adviser suggested a conveyancer. I paid an upfront payment of £150. Soon after, the property lawyer contacted me to say that they were not on the TSB conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?
You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the TSB panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.
I'm buying a new build house in Eltham with a mortgage from Virgin Money. The sellers refused to reduce the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The house builders rep suggested that I not disclose to my solicitor about this extras as it may adversely affect my mortgage with Virgin Money. Is this normal?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
I decided to have a survey done on a house in Eltham in advance of retaining solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. Our surveyor has said that some mortgage companies will refuse to issue a mortgage on this type of property.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different instructions for example to Birmingham Midshires. If you 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 used to dealing with flying freeholds in Eltham. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Eltham especially if they are familiar with such properties in Eltham.
How do I use the search app to locate a conveyancing solicitor in Eltham on the approved list for my bank?
Step one is to select a mortgage company such as Nationwide Building Society, The Mortgage Works or Nottingham Building Society then type in your location for example Eltham. Conveyancing organisations in Eltham and nationally will then be listed.
I've found a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable figure which is making it more attractive. I have just found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Eltham. Conveyancing solicitors have are soon to be appointed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Eltham ?
The majority of houses in Eltham are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Eltham so you should seriously consider looking for a Eltham conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the freeholder’spermission to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your lawyer should appraise you on the various issues.