My financial adviser has asked me for my Hook law firm’s panel member for the HSBC conveyancing panel. What is the best way to discover this. I have called my local Hook office but they cant find it on their system.
The sensible thing to do is ask for this information from your Hook property lawyer . Most Hook law firms will keep a file or database of lender panel information which would include, if applicable, their conveyancing panel details for each bank.
My solicitor has uncovered a a problem with the lease for the flat we are purchasing in Hook. The other side have put forward defective title insurance as a workaround. We are happy with insurance and will pay for it. Our lawyer says that he must ensure that the mortgage company is willing to move forward with this solution. Who is the client here, us or the lender?
Even though you have a mortgage offer from the bank does not mean to say that the property will meet their requirements for the purposes of a mortgage. Your lawyer has to ensure that the lease has to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook provisions. You and the mortgage company are the client. The appropriate lender specifications must be adhered to.
I have been told that property searches are a common cause of obstruction in Hook house deals. Is that correct?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published findings of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the common causes of delays in the conveyancing process. Local searches are unlikely to be the root cause of slowing down conveyancing in Hook.
Me and my brother have a 4 bedroom Edwardian house in Hook. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Santander. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw two entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same address. Is it worth asking Santander to clarify?
You need to assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Hook and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also question the situation with your conveyancing solicitor who carried out the work.
I am looking for a conveyancing lawyer in Hook for my purchase. Can I check a solicitor's record with the profession’s regulator?
Anyone can review presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations started on or after 1 January 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes recorded telephone calls for training purposes.
What advice can you give us when it comes to finding a Hook conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?
If you are instructing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Hook conveyancing practice) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggest that you talk with several firms including non Hook conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be useful:
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How familiar is the practice with lease extension legislation? If they are not ALEP accredited then why not?
I am the proprietor of a garden flat in Hook. Given that I can not reach agreement with the landlord, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the sum due for a lease extension?
Absolutely. We are happy to put you in touch with a Hook conveyancing firm who can help.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Hook premises is Flat D 15 Claremont Gardens in September 2013. TheTribunal determined in accordance with section48 and Schedule13 of the Leasehold Reform,Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 that the premium for the extended lease should be fourteen thousand one hundred and eighty seven pounds (£14,187.00) This case was in relation to 1 flat.