Me and my partner are buying our first property. The conveyancer has calledto enquire if we want to take out extra conveyancing searches. Unfortunately we have no idea as to what's recommended for conveyancing in Eltham
The scope of Eltham conveyancing searches should be triggered based entirely on the premises, the location, the possibility of any of these risks, your familiarity of the region and risks, your overall attitude to risk. What matters is that you properly comprehend what information the searches could supply. You may then make a decision if you consider that you need that search. Where you are unclear, ask your lawyer to advise.
It is 10 years ago since I purchased my house in Eltham. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been appointed on the sale but I can't track down the title documents. Is this a problem?
Don’t worry too much. First there is a chance that the deeds will be kept by the lender or they may be in the possession of the lawyers who acted in your purchase. Secondly the likelihood is that the property will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors obtaining current official copies of the land registers. Most conveyancing in Eltham involves registered property but in the rare situation where your home is not registered it is more tricky but is not insurmountable.
I am helping my sister sell her flat in Eltham. Will the solicitor order the energy performance certificate or it is for me to coordinate?
After the abolition of Home Packs, EPC’s became a compulsory element of moving property. An EPC should be to hand prior to the property being put on the market. It is not a task that solicitors normally organise. Where you are instructing a Eltham conveyancing solicitor they may be able to arrange energy performance certificates given their contacts with reputable Eltham accredited person
My husband and I have arranged the release of further monies on our mortgage from Lloyds as we want to conduct improvements to our house in Eltham. Do we need to appoint a nearby Eltham solicitor on the Lloyds conveyancing panel to handle the legals?
Lloyds don't usually appoint a member of their approved list of lawyers to deal with the formalities. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Lloyds conveyancing panel.
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 Eltham solicitor - who is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Coventry BS will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Coventry BS 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 Eltham postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Coventry BS, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Eltham.
A relative recommended that where I am buying in Eltham I should ask my conveyancer to carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
This is a search is sometimes included in the estimate for your Eltham conveyancing searches. It is a large document of about 40 pages, listing and setting out important information about Eltham 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 about Eltham.
The deeds to my home are lost. The solicitors who conducted the conveyancing in Eltham 5 years ago have long since closed. What do I do?
Nowadays there are duplicates made of almost everything, and your solicitor should be aware exactly where to find all the appropriate documentation so you can buy or dispose of your house without any difficulty. Where duplicates are not available, your lawyer can put in place insurance or indemnities protecting you against future claims on the premises.
Should I use a Eltham conveyancing solicitor in close proximity to the house I am purchasing? I have an old university friend who can perform the legal work however they are based 300kilometers drive away.
The benefit of a high street Eltham conveyancing practice is that you can attend the office to sign documents, deliver your identification documents and apply pressure on them if necessary. Having local Eltham know how is a benefit. However it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If you know people who instructed your friend and in the main were happy that must outweigh using an unfamiliar Eltham conveyancing solicitor just because they are Eltham based.