Last February we completed a house move in Okehampton. We have since encountered a number of problems with the house which we suspect were omitted in the conveyancing searches. What action can we take? What searches should? have been ordered as part of conveyancing in Okehampton?
It is not clear from the question as to the nature of the problems and if they are specific to conveyancing in Okehampton. Conveyancing searches and investigations undertaken as part of the buying process are designed to help avoid problems. As part of the process, a seller answers a document called a Seller’s Property Information Form. If the information is misleading, you could possibly take legal action against the owner for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Okehampton.
How can we know in advance if a Okehampton conveyancing solicitor on the Virgin Money panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in Okehampton 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 suggest that you speak with the solicitor handling your transaction.
My wife and I have arranged the release of further monies on our mortgage from Co-operative as we wish to conduct renovations to our house in Okehampton. Are we obliged to choose a bricks and mortar Okehampton solicitor on the Co-operative conveyancing panel to handle the paperwork?
Co-operative would not normally appoint a member of their approved list of lawyers 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 Co-operative list.
I had an offer accepted on an apartment in Okehampton on 19/3/2026, valuation was booked five days later, received a clean bill of health. Conveyancer retained, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Clydesdale and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Clydesdale to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
About to purchase a new build apartment in Okehampton. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.
Set out below are examples of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Okehampton
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Please supply evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose? Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants.
Is it best to instruct a Okehampton conveyancing practitioner in close proximity to the house I am purchasing? I have an old university friend who can carry out the legal work however they are based a couple of hundredmiles away.
The benefit of a local Okehampton conveyancing practice is that you can pop in to sign paperwork, present your ID and pester them where appropriate. They will also have local insight which is a benefit. However nothing is more important than finding someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If you know people who used your friend and the majority were impressed that must trump using an unfamiliar Okehampton conveyancing solicitor just because they are Okehampton based.
I am intending to sublet my leasehold apartment in Okehampton. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Is permission from the freeholder required?
The lease governs relations between the landlord and you the flat owner; specifically, it will say if subletting is banned, or permitted but only subject to certain caveats. The rule is that if the lease contains no expres ban or restriction, subletting is permitted. The majority of leases in Okehampton do not prevent an absolute prevention of subletting – such a provision would undoubtedly devalue the flat. Instead, there is usually simply a requirement that the owner notifies the freeholder, possibly supplying a duplicate of the tenancy agreement.
I own a ground floor flat in Okehampton, conveyancing having been completed August 1998. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Equivalent properties in Okehampton with over 90 years remaining are worth £222,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 per annum. The lease runs out on 21st October 2096
With only 70 years remaining on your lease we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £9,500 and £11,000 as well as plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.
The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.
Having used your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the mortgage company conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the bank approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the bank conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the mortgage company solicitor panel.