We're in Hawkhurst, FTBs purchasing with a mortgage (lender is HSBC , and our solicitor is on the HSBC conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the HSBC conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancing practitioner 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.
How can we tell if a Hawkhurst conveyancing solicitor on the Kent Reliance panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in Hawkhurst obtaining recommendations is a sensible start. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one advertising the lowest fees. We would always advocate that you speak with the solicitor handling your transaction.
My wife and I have arranged a further advance on our home loan from Bank of Ireland as we intend to conduct renovations to our house in Hawkhurst. Are we obliged to select a high street Hawkhurst solicitor on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel to deal with the paperwork?
Bank of Ireland don't usually instruct firms on their conveyancing panel to deal with such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Bank of Ireland list.
I have today made my last payment due on my mortgage with Clydesdale. I assume I don't need a Hawkhurst conveyancing practitioner on the Clydesdale panel to discharge the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
If you have finished paying off your Clydesdale mortgage, they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Clydesdale mortgage from the register. Clydesdale, and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
- but are not moving to another property
- where Clydesdale has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
- Clydesdale has instructed the Land Registry to do so
Over the last few months I have been searching for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and identified one near me in Hawkhurst I like with amenity areas and station nearby, however it only has 61 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Hawkhurst suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a lease with such few years left?
Should you need a mortgage that many years will be problematic. Reduce the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the property for at least twenty four months you may request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer about this matter.
What does commercial conveyancing in Hawkhurst cover?
Non domestic conveyancing in Hawkhurst incorporates a broad range of advice, offered by regulated solicitors, relating to business premises. By way of example, this type of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more commonly, the assignment of existing business tenancies or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial mortgages and the termination of tenancies.
My father-in-law has suggested that I use his conveyancers in Hawkhurst. Should I use them?
There are no two ways about it it’s preferable to select a conveyancing practitioner is to have guidance from friends or family who have actually previously instructed the solicitor you're contemplating using.
I've found a house that seems to meet my requirements, at a reasonable figure which is making it more attractive. I have just found out that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns purchasing a leasehold house in Hawkhurst. Conveyancing advisers have not yet been appointed. Will they explain the issues?
Most houses in Hawkhurst are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Hawkhurst in which case you should be looking for a Hawkhurst conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions such as requiring the landlord’sconsent to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer should advise you fully on all the issues.