Is the fact that my solicitor in Seaforth is not listed on my mortgage company's solicitor panel that there is a problem with the standard of the firm’s conveyancing?
That would more than likely be an incorrect assumption to make. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 5 reasons are as follows: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. Should you be concerned you should contact the Seaforth conveyancing practice and enquire why they are no longer on the approved list for your mortgage company.
We see that you have a post code search directory listing law firms on the Principality conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a commission if I retain them for our own conveyancing in Seaforth?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Principality conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Seaforth.
We're in Seaforth, First timers buying with a mortgage (lender is Nationwide , and our solicitor is on the Nationwide conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the Nationwide conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no solicitor 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.
Various internet forums that I have visited warn that are the number one cause of hinderance in Seaforth conveyancing transactions. Is there any truth in this?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published findings of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature within the common causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are unlikely to be the root cause of holding up conveyancing in Seaforth.
I am looking for a ground for flat up to £235,500 and identified one close by in Seaforth I like with open areas and station nearby, the downside is that it's only got 51 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Seaforth in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a short lease?
If you need a mortgage that many years will likely be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you may ask them to start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor regarding this.
I am attracted to a two flats in Seaforth both have about fifty years left on the lease term. Should I regard a short lease as a deal breaker?
There is no doubt about it. A leasehold flat in Seaforth is a deteriorating asset as a result of the shortening lease. The nearer the lease gets to its expiry date, the more it adversely affects the marketability of the property. For most purchasers and mortgage companies, leases with under 75 years become less and less marketable. On a more upbeat note, leaseholders can extend their leases by serving a Section 42 Notice. One stipulation is that they must have owned the premises for two years (unlike a Section 13 notice for purchasing the freehold, when leaseholders can participate from day one of ownership). When successful, they will have the right to an extension of 90 years to the current term and ground rent is effectively reduced to zero. Before moving forward with a purchase of a residence with a short lease term remaining you should talk to a solicitor specialising in lease extensions and leasehold enfranchisement. We are are happy to put you in touch with Seaforth conveyancing experts who will explain the options available to you during an initial telephone conversation free of charge. More often than not it is possible to negotiate informally with the freeholder to extend the lease. They may agree to a smaller lump sum and an increase in the ground rent, but to shorter extension terms in return. You need to ensure that the agreed terms represent good long-term value compared with the standard benefits of the Section 42 Notice and that onerous clauses are not inserted into any redrafting of the lease.
Leasehold Conveyancing in Seaforth - Examples of Queries Prior to Purchasing
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Best to be warned if changing the roof or some other significant cost is due shortly that will be shared between the tenants and may well dramatically increase the the maintenance charges or result in a one time payment. Are any of leasehold owners in arrears of their service charge payments? How long is the Lease?