I have just started taking steps with the aim of switching my current homeowner home loan to a BTL Aldermore mortgage. I was told by my financial advisor that I require a lawyer for this. I got in contact with the same Locks Heath conveyancing solicitor who dealt with the legals when I first bought the premises. The quote e-mailed to me of £575 plus disbursements has taken me by surprise as its a refinance than a sale or purchase.
The quote is slightly on the high side. If you shop around you could trim some of the cost by perhaps a hundred pounds. On the other hand, providing that you were content with the service the firm provided you couldcome to regret opting for an an untested lawyer. If is important to check that the conveyancer can represent Aldermore. You can employ our search tool to find a Locks Heath conveyancing firm on the Aldermore approved list of lawyers, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Locks Heath.
Can I be sure that the Locks Heath conveyancing solicitor on the Nationwide panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in Locks Heath seeking recommendations is a good 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 which is cheap as chips. We would always advocate that you speak with the lawyer carrying out your transaction.
I have today made my last payment due on my mortgage with Bank of Ireland. I assume I don't need a Locks Heath property lawyer on the Bank of Ireland panel to discharge the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm.
If you have finished paying off your Bank of Ireland 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 Bank of Ireland mortgage from the register. Bank of Ireland, 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 Bank of Ireland has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
- Bank of Ireland has instructed the Land Registry to do so
Having digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Locks Heath solicitor - who is on the RBS conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
RBS will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually RBS 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 solicitor 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 Locks Heath postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with RBS, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Locks Heath.
Do I need to be concerned by third parties that I am dealing with are suggesting an internet conveyancing firm as opposed to a local Locks Heath conveyancing firm?
As with many professional services, often input from family and friends can be very helpful. Yet there are many players in a conveyancing deal; estate agents, financial adviser and mortgage companies might all suggest lawyers to use. On occasion the solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but occasionally there might be a financial incentive behind the recommendation. You are free to choose your own lawyer. However, bear in mind that the majority of mortgage providers have an approved list of law firms you have to use for the lender aspect of your home move.
I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing lawyer in Locks Heath for my sale. Can I see a firm’s complaints history with the profession’s regulator?
One can read published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For information Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors record, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. International callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes recorded telephone calls for training purposes.
I’m about to sell my 2 bed apartment in Locks Heath. Conveyancing is yet to be initiated, but I have recently received a yearly service charge demand – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?
The sensible thing to do is clear the maintenance contribution as normal because all rents and maintenance charges will be allotted on completion, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.
I inherited a studio flat in Locks Heath, conveyancing having been completed in 1996. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Comparable properties in Locks Heath with a long lease are worth £197,000. The ground rent is £55 levied per year. The lease finishes on 21st October 2077
With 55 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to span between £31,400 and £36,200 plus plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.
The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to provide a more accurate figure without more detailed due diligence. You should not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt additional issues that need to be taken into account and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information before getting professional advice.
Are there any apps to help find a Locks Heath conveyancing solicitor on the mortgage company conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 20miles to attend the solicitor.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel search on this page. Please choose the lender and your location, in this case Locks Heath and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest Locks Heath. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the lender solicitor panel.