At what point can the exchange of contracts take place for domestic conveyancing in Limehouse and am I required to attend the conveyancers branch?
Where you are local to our conveyancing solicitors in Limehouse you are invited in to sign contracts. However, the firms we work with provide countrywide coverage for conveyancing and give as equally diligent and professional a job for you when communicating with you electronically. The signing of the property agreement is not when everything is set in stone. Signing on the dotted line is just a prerequisite for the solicitor to exchange contracts when the time is right, which is ordinarily shortly after signing. The exchange process is is usually a five minute process, although where a lengthy "chain" is in the mix, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Limehouse)to be in the office at the appropriate time.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Limehouse. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 19/10/2025, the requirements read as follows :
What does a local search tell me regarding the house my wife and I purchasing in Limehouse?
Limehouse conveyancing often commences with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search organisations for example Xpress Legal The local search is essential in every Limehouse conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any unpleasant surprises after you move into your new home. The search will reveal information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen topic headings.
I am buying my first flat in Limehouse with a mortgage from Nottingham Building Society. The builders would not budge the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of fixtures and fittings instead. The sale representative suggested that I not reveal to my solicitor about this side-deal as it would affect my loan with the bank. 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've recently bought a leasehold house in Limehouse. Am I liable to pay service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?
Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.
If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).
I inherited a second floor flat in Limehouse. Given that I can not reach agreement with the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the amount payable for a lease extension?
Most certainly. We are happy to put you in touch with a Limehouse conveyancing firm who can help.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement case for a Limehouse premises is 26 Rhondda Grove in June 2009. The net price payable by the leaseholders as determined by the Tribunal was £3,015.13. This comprised £11,300 premium for the reversion less £8,284.87 costs as ordered by the County Court.
We are FTB’s just having agreed a price on a property in Limehouse, and need to get solicitors instructed. I have made use of the different rating tools and the fee estimates are from all across the the UK. Is it advisable to have a Limehouse solicitor local to the prospective house? We are content to do everything over the internet, but I assume at some point we may need to visit the lawyer's office to sign papers?
Usually there is no requirement to attend the office of your conveyancing practitioner, they can post any relevant contracts to you, which you can sign and return. Many buyers and sellers prefer to instruct a locally based solicitor, but it is not essential for conveyancing in Limehouse.