We see that you have a search directory identifying solicitors on the Skipton conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I instruct them for our conveyancing in South Woodford?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Skipton conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in South Woodford.
We wanted to use a conveyancing solicitor in South Woodford for our house move. Our financial adviser has since advised us that our bank Nottingham Building Society won't deal with them. Surely this is unfair competition?
Banks in the main imposes restrictions either the category or the number of conveyancing solicitors on their panel. A common example of such criteria being that a law practice must not be a sole practitioner. As well as restricting the profile of firm, a few lenders have decided to limit the amount of solicitor practices they permit to represent them. Be aware that Nottingham Building Society have no responsibility for the quality of advice provided by any member of Nottingham Building Society Conveyancer Panel. Mortgage fraud was a primary driver in the rationalisation of solicitor panels since 2008 even though there are mixed views regarding the level of solicitor involvement in some of that fraud. Statistics from the Land Registry reveal that plenty of law firms, including some in or near South Woodford only perform a couple conveyances per annum.
Are all South Woodford Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel?
It is true that some banks and building societies now make use of CQS as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS accreditation however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitors wishing to remain on their panels.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in South Woodford off the council. I have a mortgage offer with RBS. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with RBS, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the RBS conveyancing panel.
I've digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local South Woodford solicitor - who is on the Nottingham conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Nottingham will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Nottingham 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. You may wish to consider appointing your own South Woodford surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
Is it necessary to pay for insurance to cover chancel repairs when acquiring a property in South Woodford?
Unless a previous acquisition of the premises completed after 12 October 2013 you may take it that lawyers conducting conveyancing in South Woodford to continue to recommend a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.
I have recently realised that I have 62 years unexpired on my flat in South Woodford. I now want to extend my lease but my landlord is absent. What options are available to me?
If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be lengthened by the Court. However, you will be required to prove that you have made all reasonable attempts to locate the landlord. In some cases a specialist may be helpful to carry out a search and to produce a report to be accepted by the court as proof that the freeholder can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer in relation to proving the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court covering South Woodford.
My wife and I have hit a brick wall in seeking a lease extension in South Woodford. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on premiums?
if there is a missing landlord or if there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 it is possible to make an application to the LVT to determine the price.
An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a South Woodford property is 135 Maybank Road in January 2013. The Tribunal determined that the price to be paid by the tenants for the grant of a new lease is £10,592 This case was in relation to 1 flat. The remaining number of years on the lease was 71.2 years.
Why is New Build conveyancing in South Woodford more costly?
Purchasing a new build home is completely different from the standard house purchase conveyancing in South Woodford. For a start housebuilders normally insist contracts to exchange inside a short timeframe, the result being a lot of pressure on your lawyer to make sure everything is in order. Furthermore new build properties frequently involve examination of adoption of highways, drains, planning considerations, building warranties or architects certificates. Bank requirements are also more demanding. Taking into account the complex nature of the process for these types of properties, the conveyancing new build fees are higher than normal.