We are buying a 2 bedroom apartment in Slough with a mortgage. We would like to retain our Slough solicitor, but the mortgage company advise he's not on their "panel". It appears that we have no choice but to select one of the bank panel solicitors or retain our Slough lawyer as well as pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; can we not insist that the bank use our Slough lawyer ?
No, not really. Your mortgage offer is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your Slough conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
It is a dozen years since I bought my property in Slough. Conveyancing solicitors have now been appointed on the sale but I am unable to locate my title deeds. Will this jeopardise the sale?
Don’t worry too much. First there is a possibility that the deeds will be with your lender or they could be archived with the lawyers who acted in your purchase. Secondly in all probability the property will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors procuring current official copies of the land registers. Almost all conveyancing in Slough relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your property is unregistered it is more tricky but is not insurmountable.
I am assisting my aunt sell her flat in Slough. Does the conveyancing solicitor commission the EPC or do I organise this?
Following the demise of Home Packs, energy performance certificates became a compulsory component of moving house. An EPC needs to be to hand before the property is marketed. This is not as aspect of the sale process that lawyers normally organise. If you are using a Slough conveyancing solicitor they may be able to arrange energy assessments given their relationships with reputable Slough energy assessors
Last month we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Kent Reliance. Slough conveyancing practitioners were instructed. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from Kent Reliance?
There is no definitive answer here. Have Kent Reliance conducted the survey? Have you informed Kent Reliance as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel? Sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued.
My partner and I are in the process of looking at houses in Slough and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I intend to finance via a mortgage with Skipton.
You should start obtaining conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their contact information on to the estate agent. Given that you are seeking a mortgage with Skipton, ask your prospective lawyers if they are on the Skipton conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
I need some quick conveyancing in Slough as I am under a deadline to sign on the dotted line inside one month. A home loan is not required. Can I avoid the conveyancing searches to save fees and time?
As you are not taking a home loan you have the choice not to do searches although no conveyancer would advise that you don't. With plenty of history conveyancing in Slough the following are examples of issues that can appear and adversely affect future saleability: Refused Planning Applications, Overdue Fees, Overdue Grants, Unadopted Roads,...
I am looking for a flat up to £245,000 and found one close by in Slough I like with a park and railway links in the vicinity, however it's only got 49 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Slough for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a short lease?
If you need a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term will be an issue. Reduce the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for at least 2 years you could request that they 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 speak to your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.
What does commercial conveyancing in Slough cover?
Slough conveyancing for business premises incorporates a broad range of guidance, provided 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 assignment of existing leases or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial mortgages and the termination of leases.