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

Aylsham conveyancing solicitors as well as nationwide property practitioners accross the UK have an obligation under Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules to check the ID of any client with a view to ensure that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients are required to supply two forms of certified identification; proof of identity (usually a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (typically a Bank Statement less than 3 months old).

Confirmation of source of monies is also required under the money laundering regulations as solicitors are required to ensure that the monies you are using to buy a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the full purchase amount where you are a cash purchaser) has come from legitimate source (such as employment savings) as opposed to the product of illegitimate activity.

I appreciate that there are debates on Chancel Insurance on online forums. Do I require chancel insurance when buying a residence in Aylsham? or I am told that there is a law dating back centuries that means some owners of property living in a parish church boundary will be compelled to pay for repairs towards the chancel within the church. Is this applicable for conveyancing in Aylsham?

Unless a previous acquisition of the house completed post 12 October 2013 you can take it that lawyers handling conveyancing in Aylsham to continue to propose a a chancel search and or chancel repair liability insurance.

I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and identified one close by in Aylsham I like with open areas and transport links nearby, however it's only got 52 years on the lease. There is not much else in Aylsham for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?

Should you need a mortgage that many years will likely be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current owner has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you could ask them to start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.

Last June I purchased a leasehold property in Aylsham. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before my ownership?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Aylsham Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Queries before buying

The answer will be useful as a) areas may result in problems in the block as the communal areas may begin to deteriorate where maintenance are not paid for b) if the leasehold owners have a dispute with the running of the building you will need to have complete disclosure What is the annual service fee and ground rent? It would be sensible to discover if there are any onerous restrictions in the lease. By way of example some leases prohibit pets being allowed in certain buildings in Aylsham. If you love the apartmentin Aylsham but your dog can’t make the move with you then you will be faced hard determination.

I happen to be an executor of my recently deceased aunt’s Will, with a property in Aylsham which is to be sold. The property has never been registered at the Land Registry and I'm advised that some buyers solicitors will insist that it is in place before they'll proceed. What's the procedure for this?

In the situation you refer to it seems prudent to apply to register in the names of the personal representative(s) as named in the probate and in their capacity as PRs. The Land Registry’s online guidance explains how to register for the first time and what is required re the deeds and forms. You would need to include and certified copy of the probate as well and complete the form FR1 to refer to the PRs as the applicant.