I have justbecome aware that Arc property Solicitors have been shut down. They conducted my conveyancing in Lincoln for a purchase of a leasehold flat 18 months ago. How can I establish that my home is in my name in the name of the previous owner?
The quickest method to see if the property is registered to you, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Lincoln conveyancing specialists.
How does conveyancing in Lincoln differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Lincoln contact us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is constructed. This is because house builders in Lincoln tend to acquire the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Lincoln or who has acted in the same development.
Due to the input of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Lincoln ahead of appointing lawyers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. My surveyor has said that some banks tend refuse to give a loan on this type of house.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different instructions for example to Birmingham Midshires. If you e-mail us we can investigate further via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Lincoln. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Lincoln to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.
Am I right to be suspicious by estate agents that I am dealing with are encouraging me to use a national conveyancing firm rather than a local Lincoln conveyancing firm?
As with lots of professional services, often referrals from connections can be extremely useful or valuable. Yet there are numerous players in a conveyancing matter; estate agents, financial adviser and lenders might all recommend solicitors to appoint. On occasion the conveyancers might be known to one of the organisations as experts in their field, but occasionally there behind the scenes commercial relationship behind the recommendation. You have the discretion to choose your own conveyancer. However, bear in mind that some banks specify a panel list of law firms you must use for the lender aspect of your conveyancing.
As co-executor for the estate of my grandmother I am selling a property in Monmouth but live in Lincoln. My solicitor (approximately 200 kilometers from mehas requested that I execute a statutory declaration ahead of the transaction finalising. Can you recommend a conveyancing solicitor in Lincoln who can witness this legal document for me?
Technically speaking you should not be required to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are located in Lincoln
I today plan to offer on a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Lincoln. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?
Most houses in Lincoln are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are buying in Lincoln so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Lincoln conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the landlord’sconsent to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the estate where the house is part of an estate. Your conveyancer should advise you fully on all the issues.
Lincoln Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should consider Prior to buying
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If a Lincoln lease has less than 80 years it will have adverse implications on the value of the apartment. It is worth checking with your mortgage company that they are willing to lend given the lease term. Leases with less than 80 years remaining means that you will probably require a lease extension sooner rather than later and it is worth discovering what this would cost. Remember, in most cases you would be be obliged to have owned the residence for 24 months before you are eligible to extend the lease. Are there any major works on the horizon that will add a premium to the service costs? How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their service charge payments?