I can't travel far from Amersham. Please explain the reason why all Amersham solicitors aren't included on all lender panels?

Even though it may seem unfair for mortgage companies to limit who can act for them, from the public’s or conveyancer’s perspective, the flip side is that banks are becoming ever more anxious and consider it crucial to protect them against illegal activities. As a result of this concern mortgage companies are limiting their panel of approved conveyancing lawyers to a size that they are happy to control.

In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Amersham? Is this really necessary?

Amersham conveyancing solicitors and indeed property practitioners accross the UK have an obligation under Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules to check the ID of any client in order to satisfy themselves that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients will need to supply two forms of certified identification; proof of identity (usually a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (usually a Utility Bill no more than three months).

Confirmation of the origin of monies is also required under the money laundering statutes as lawyers are required to ensure that the funds you are utilising to purchase a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the full purchase amount where you are a cash purchaser) has originated from an acceptable source (such as an inheritance) rather than the product of illegitimate behaviour.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build flat in Amersham. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Set out below is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Amersham

Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Please supply a car parking plan. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier?

I opted to have a survey completed on a property in Amersham before instructing lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. Our surveyor advised that some lenders tend not issue a loan on a flying freehold property.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Santander has different requirements for example to Nationwide. Should you wish to telephone us we can investigate further with the relevant lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Amersham. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Amersham to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.

We are in the middle of purchasing a property in Amersham. Conveyancing lawyer has phoned to say the title is "Leasehold". Should this impact the marketability of the property?

Amersham conveyancing does not usually involve leasehold houses. The key consideration here is the length of lease and the ground rent. If there are hundred of years years remaining with a peppercorn rent, it's almost the same as freehold, so it shouldn't impact the value significantly.

At the other end of the spectrum, if it's, say, 50 years it will have a significant impact on the saleability, and most likely wouldn't be mortgageable. The length of lease and ground rent will be set out in the lease provided to your conveyancing practitioner.