It is 10 years ago since I acquired my home in South Hackney. Conveyancing lawyers have recently been retained on the sale but I am unable to locate the title documents. Is this a major issue?
Don’t worry too much. First there is a possibility that the deeds will be kept by the mortgage company or they may be in the possession of the lawyers who oversaw your purchase. Secondly the chances are that the title will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing solicitors procuring up to date copy of the land registers. Nearly all conveyancing in South Hackney relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your home is not registered it adds to the complexity but is resolvable.
Do I have to have a meeting at the offices of the solicitor to sign the mortgage deed? If so, I will appoint a lawyer who conducts conveyancing in South Hackney so that I can attend their offices if necessary.
Whereas this was necessary 12 years ago, the vast majority lenders no longer require their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the borrowers signature. You will still be obliged to provide identification documents and there are still distinct advantages to using a locally based practitioner, in your situation a conveyancing solicitor in South Hackney.
I am buying a property in South Hackney. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Aldermore have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Aldermore your lawyer must check the conveyancing requirements contained in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Aldermore. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook contains minimum conditions for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Aldermore where a lease does not comply with these requirements. The specifications relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not isolated to South Hackney.
The formalities of my remortgage has taken place for my property in South Hackney. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How do I make a complaint?
Almost all banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Team at head office. In most cases complaints to a lender are sorted out effectively and efficiently. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.
About to purchase maisonette in South Hackney. I have received an online quote from a licenced conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Lender if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Santander conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that the South Hackney property lawyer is on the Santander conveyancing panel.
What can a local search tell me concerning the house we're purchasing in South Hackney?
South Hackney conveyancing often starts with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search company such as Onsearch The local search is essential in every South Hackney conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any nasty surprises after you move into your new home. The search should reveal data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the premises (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 13 subject sections.
How does conveyancing in South Hackney differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in South Hackney contact us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because house builders in South Hackney usually buy the land, 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 property lawyers 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 South Hackney or who has acted in the same development.
In my capacity as executor for the estate of my aunt I am selling a property in Swansea but I am based in South Hackney. My conveyancer (who is 250 miles awayhas requested that I sign a stat dec before completion. Can you recommend a conveyancing solicitor in South Hackney to witness and place their company stamp on the document?
strictly speaking you are not likely to need to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily any notary public or qualified solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are South Hackney based