My wife and I have just bought a property in Tufnell Park. We have noticed several problems with the house which we believe were missed in the conveyancing searches. Is there anything we can do? What searches should? have been carried out for conveyancing in Tufnell Park?
The question is vague as what problems have arisen and if they are specific to conveyancing in Tufnell Park. Conveyancing searches and due diligence undertaken as part of the buying process are carried out to help avoid problems. As part of the legal transfer of property, a seller completes a form called a Seller’s Property Information Form. answers turns out to be incorrect, then you may have a claim against the seller for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Tufnell Park.
Forgive me if this question is silly but I am unseasoned as FTB of a two bedroom flat in Tufnell Park. Do I receive the keys to the property on completion from my solicitor? If this is the case, I will use a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Tufnell Park?
There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will arrange to send the completion advance to the vendor’s lawyers, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you will be invited to pick up the keys from the Estate Agents and move into your new home. This tends to happen early afternoon.
Is it the case that all Tufnell Park conveyancing solicitors on the Lloyds conveyancing panel are overseen by the SRA?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Lloyds conveyancing panel they would need to be overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Some mortgage companies do list licenced conveyancers on their panel and in that case the practice would be governed by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
I can not fathom if my lender obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date. I have called into my local Tufnell Park bank branch on a couple of occasions and was told it wasn't an issue and they would lend. My Tufnell Park conveyancing solicitor - who is on the lender conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told they would not lend in accordance with their specific requirements. Who do I believe?
Your lawyer has to comply with the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook section two conditions for your lender. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the bank will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the mortgage company to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years remaining.
Over the last few months I have been searching for a ground for flat up to £305k and identified one close by in Tufnell Park I like with open areas and transport links in the vicinity, however it only has 51 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Tufnell Park suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a lease with such few years left?
If you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term will likely be an issue. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you may request that they commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this.
I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing practitioner in Tufnell Park for my house move. Is it possible to see a firm’s record with the legal regulator?
Members of the public can find published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations started on or after 1 January 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find information Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors record, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. International callers, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA may monitor call for training purposes.
My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Tufnell Park. Conveyancing and Birmingham Midshires mortgage organised. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing solicitor in Tufnell Park who previously acted has now retired. Do I pay?
First contact the Land Registry to be sure that this person is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. It is not necessary to instruct a Tufnell Park conveyancing solicitor to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. You should note that in any event, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.
I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord for a lease extension without any joy. Can one make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Tufnell Park conveyancing firm to act on my behalf?
if there is a missing landlord or if there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant statutes it is possible to make an application to the LVT to assess the price payable.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Tufnell Park premises is Flat 2 27 Mackeson Road in December 2012. The Tribunal assessed the value of the lease extension premium at £35,435 and rounded the figure to £35,500 This case affected 1 flat. The unexpired residue of the current lease was 64.77 years.
What do I do if I am unhappy with the property lawyer who carried out our conveyancing in Tufnell Park?
We live in an imperfect world, and unfortunately occasionally things do go wrong. That being said there is recourse if you were dissatisfied with your conveyancing in Tufnell Park. This varies from trying to resolve matters directly with them, through to reporting a conveyancer to their governing body. If you remain aggrieved you may consider enlisting the help of the Legal Ombudsman.