We are about to sign contracts for a leasehold flat in Otford. We encountered a snag. Our mortgage offer with Barclays runs out on 16/3/2026 but the vendors are putting forward a completion date of 18/3/2026. Can one extend the loan offer?
The person best placed to address this concern is your conveyancer who will assess if they should be discussing with the mortgage company, vendor’s conveyancers, selling agents or possibly all parties taking into account the circumstances your transaction as of today.
We're in Otford, First timers buying with a mortgage (lender is HSBC , and our lawyer is on the HSBC conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the HSBC conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no property lawyer should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.
I am assisting my step-mother sell her flat in Otford. Does the conveyancing solicitor order the EPC or should I organise this?
Following the abolition of Home Packs, energy assessments remained a required element of moving house. An energy performance certificate must be commissioned before the property is marketed. This is not something that lawyers normally arrange. If you are using a Otford conveyancing practitioner they may be willing to arrange energy assessments given their relationships with reputable Otford providers
My aunt informed me that in purchasing a property in Otford there may be various restrictions prohibiting external alterations to the property. Is this right?
We are aware of a number of properties in Otford which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to external variations. Part of the conveyancing in Otford should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.
I am aiming to move house in March. Should my conveyancing solicitor liaise with the removal company on the completion day. As an aside, can you suggest a removal company in Otford. Conveyancing lawyer was chosen before I stumbled across your page.
On the day of completion you can collect the house keys from the property agent but this should only be done after the sellers lawyers advise the agent that the monies to complete are in and the keys can be handed over. After that you will need to tell the removal company that they can start moving you in. As a matter of policy we do not recommend a particular removal company but can assist you in finding a residential property solicitor in Otford or a solicitor that specialises in conveyancing in Otford.
I need some quick conveyancing in Otford as I am faced with a deadline to exchange contracts within one month. Thankfully I do not need a mortgage. Is it possible to decline from having conveyancing searches to save fees and time?
As you are are a cash purchaser you are at liberty not to do searches although no solicitor would suggest that you don't. Drawing on our experience of conveyancing in Otford the following are examples of issues that can crop up and adversely impact market value: Enforcement Notices, Overdue Fees, Overdue Grants, Railway Schemes,...
How does conveyancing in Otford differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Otford come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because house builders in Otford tend to purchase 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Otford or who has acted in the same development.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on last month in what should have been a quick, chain free conveyancing. Otford is where the house is located. Is there any advice you can impart?
Flying freeholds in Otford are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Otford you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Otford may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.