I am need of leasehold conveyancing for an apartment in a relatively new development (seven years old) in Billingshurst. The vast majority the appartments have already been occupied. Do I need carry out the local searches as part of conveyancing in Billingshurst?

If you getting a loan, your bank will need some (many) of the searches so you'll have no choice. If not, then Billingshurst conveyancing searches are optional. Your solicitor, will 'advise', perhaps strongly, that you should have the searches done, but he or she is duty bound in this regard. One thing to bear in mind; if you are likely to sell the house one day, it may be of interest to your future buyer what the searches contain. Sometimes houses with no practical issues can still throw up adverse search results. But if you demand that your lawyer to proceed without searches then your lawyer will have to follow your instructions or it may be necessary to instruct a new lawyer for your conveyancing in Billingshurst.

Should lawyers request money on account for my conveyancing in Billingshurst?

Where you are retaining lawyers for conveyancing in Billingshurst your lawyer will ask you to provide them with funds to cover the search fees. This will be the total of the cost of the Local Authority Search. If any down payment is payable against the sale price then this will be needed immediately prior to exchange of contracts. Any further balance that is due will be payable a couple of days ahead of the day of completion.

How does conveyancing in Billingshurst differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Billingshurst contact us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is finished. This is because house builders in Billingshurst tend to acquire the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Billingshurst or who has acted in the same development.

I opted to have a survey carried out on a property in Billingshurst ahead of retaining conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. My surveyor advised that some lenders may not issue a mortgage on a flying freehold home.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different instructions from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can investigate further via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Billingshurst. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Billingshurst to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.

I've recently bought a leasehold property in Billingshurst. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?

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. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure 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).

Billingshurst Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Queries before buying

Who are the managing agents? How is the lease structured?