It is is a decade since I bought my property in Berkshire. Conveyancing lawyers have recently been retained on the sale but I can't track down the title deeds. Is this a major issue?
You need not be too concerned. Firstly there is a chance that the deeds will be retained by the lender or they may be in the possession of the conveyancers who handled your purchase. Secondly the likelihood is that the land will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors acquiring up to date copy of the land registers. Almost all conveyancing in Berkshire relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your property is unregistered it adds to the complexity but is resolvable.
I can see plenty of information on this site regarding conveyancing in Berkshire but what is your top tip for selecting the right conveyancer in Berkshire
Do not opt for the cheapest Berkshire conveyancing costs illustration. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to property lawyers. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you know exactly what you’ll have to pay in ahead of time.
I am assisting my sister sell her house in Berkshire. Will the conveyancing solicitor order an EPC or do I organise this?
Following the abolition of Home Packs, energy performance certificates remained a required element of moving property. An EPC should be commissioned before the property is marketed. This is not something that lawyers normally organise. Where you are instructing a Berkshire conveyancing lawyer they may help arrange energy performance certificates given their contacts with long established Berkshire providers
I had a mortgage agreed in principle with Nationwide. Berkshire conveyancing solicitors are instructed. How long does it take for Nationwide to issue the offer to the property lawyer?
Some lenders take longer than others. Have Nationwide conducted the valuation? Have you advised Nationwide as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Nationwide conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.
I used Wolstenholmes a few years past for my conveyancing in Berkshire. Now, I need the documents but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?
You should contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Berkshire of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously instructed, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Berkshire prior to retaining solicitors. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor has said that some mortgage companies will not issue a loan on a flying freehold home.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different requirements from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to telephone us we can check with the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Berkshire. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Berkshire especially if they are familiar with such properties in Berkshire.
Can you suggest a lawyer for conveyancing in Berkshire (or nearby)? This is for lease extension.I did have one chosen but just found out that they can't deal with Clydesdale.
LenderPanel.com is restricted to being a directory service for lawyers who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Clydesdale in certain areas such as Berkshire . Our intention is not to recommend any specific property lawyer.