Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my solicitor in Plaistow is not on my mortgage company's conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the quality of his conveyancing?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. There are plenty of plausible explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated that over three quarters of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The most common reasons for removal are: (1) low volume of transactions (2) the solicitor is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should contact the Plaistow conveyancing practice and enquire why they are no longer on the approved list for your mortgage company.
When it comes to lenders such as Barclays, do Plaistow conveyancing practitioners have to pay an annual charge to be on the conveyancing panel?
We are unaware of any bank fees to register on their panel, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.
After months of negotiation I have agreed a price on an apartment in Plaistow. My financial adviser pressured me to appoint their solicitor. I paid an on account payment of £200. Soon after, the conveyancer contacted me sheepishly admitting that they were not on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?
You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the Leeds Building Society panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.
Having digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Plaistow solicitor - who is on the TSB conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
TSB will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually TSB 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 property lawyer 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 Plaistow postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with TSB, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Plaistow.
What will a local search tell me about the property my wife and I purchasing in Plaistow?
Plaistow conveyancing often commences with the ordering local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search company such as Searchflow The local search plays a central role in most Plaistow conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any unpleasant once you have moved into your property. The search should supply information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the property (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 subject areas.
How does conveyancing in Plaistow differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Plaistow come to us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because new home sellers in Plaistow typically buy the real estate, 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Plaistow or who has acted in the same development.
What does commercial conveyancing in Plaistow cover?
Plaistow conveyancing for business premises incorporates a broad range of advice, supplied by qualified solicitors, relating to business premises. By way of example, this type of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more usually, the transfer of existing business tenancies or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial loans and the termination of leases.
I’m about to sell my 2 bed flat in Plaistow. Conveyancing has not commenced, however I have just received a half-yearly maintenance charge invoice – 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 invoices will be apportioned on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies 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.
Despite our best efforts, we have been unsuccessful in trying to purchase the freehold in Plaistow. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?
You certainly can. We are happy to put you in touch with a Plaistow conveyancing firm who can help.
An example of a Lease Extension case for a Plaistow residence is 46 Credon Road in January 2014. On 11 September 2013 Deputy District Judge Price sitting at the Bow County Court made a vesting order that the freeholder surrender his lease and be granted a new lease of the Premises on such terms as may be determined by the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).The appropriate sum as concluded by the Tribunal was £7225 This case related to 1 flat. The number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 69.77 years.
