is it true that all Tolworth solicitor practices on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel are overseen by the SRA?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Virgin Money approved list of solicitors they would need to be overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. The majority of banks do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be overseen by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
I am buying a property in Tolworth. One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Skipton have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
As you are obtaining a mortgage with Skipton your lawyer must comply with the formal instructions set out in Part two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Skipton. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook includes minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Skipton where a lease does not meet these provisions. The provisions relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not isolated to Tolworth.
I have today made my last payment due on my mortgage with Nottingham. I assume I don't need a Tolworth solicitor on the Nottingham panel to discharge the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
If you have finished paying off your Nottingham mortgage, they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Nottingham mortgage from the register. Nottingham, and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
- but are not moving to another property
- where Nottingham has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
- Nottingham has instructed the Land Registry to do so
I have justfound out that Action Conveyancing have closed. They conducted my conveyancing in Tolworth for a purchase of a freehold house 9 months ago. How can I establish that the property is in my name in the name of the former proprietor?
The easiest method to check if the property is in your name, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Tolworth conveyancing specialists.
I decided to have a survey done on a house in Tolworth in advance of appointing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor has said that some mortgage companies tend not grant a loan on this type of premises.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Santander has different instructions from Nationwide. If you call us we can check with the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Tolworth. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Tolworth especially if they regularly deal with such properties in Tolworth.
How simple is it to use the search tool to select a conveyancing lawyer in Tolworth on the authorised to act for my lender?
Step one is to select a bank such as Barclays , The Mortgage Works or Alliance & Leicester then specify your preferred area e.g. Tolworth. Conveyancing firms in Tolworth and nationally will then be listed.
I have been sourcing a conveyancing lawyer in Tolworth for my remortgage. Can I see a firm’s complaints history with the profession’s regulator?
One may review documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's history, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA sometimes recorded telephone calls for training requirements.
Do I have to pop into the offices of the bank conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the legal charge? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Tolworth as it will be easier to pop in to their offices if required.
Whereas this was necessary 12 years ago, most lenders no longer require their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the borrowers signature. You will still be obliged to provide ID Documents and there are still distinct advantages to using a local solicitor, in your case a conveyancing solicitor in Tolworth.