Can the conveyancing practitioners identified through your search tool carry out auction conveyancing in Birmingham?
We know of a number of niche lawyers we can connect you with those who can conduct auction conveyancing. Birmingham is one of hundreds of locations in which our lawyers have offices.
I am assisting my mother sell her property in Birmingham. Does the solicitor arrange an energy assessment or should I organise this?
Following the demise of HIPs, energy assessments was maintained a required component of selling a house. An EPC needs to be commissioned in advance of the property being put on the market. This is not a task that law firms normally organise. Where you are using a Birmingham conveyancing lawyer they may help arrange EPC’s given their relationships with long established Birmingham accredited person
We are planning to move property in March. Should my conveyancing solicitor update the removal company on the day of completion. As an aside, can you suggest a removal company in Birmingham. Conveyancing solicitor was organised before I stumbled across your site.
On the day of completion you will need to pick up the keys from the property agent but this should only be done when the sellers conveyancers confirm to the agent that they acknowledge receipt of the completion payment and the keys can be passed over. Subsequently you should tell the removal company that they can start moving you in. As a matter of policy we do not suggest a particular removal company but can help you choose a residential property solicitor in Birmingham or a firm with expertise in conveyancing in Birmingham.
Having read lots of mortgage guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Birmingham solicitor - who is on the Nationwide conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Nationwide will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Nationwide will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your conveyancer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Birmingham postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Nationwide, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Birmingham.
Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up as part of conveyancing in Birmingham?
Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Birmingham. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’
How does conveyancing in Birmingham differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Birmingham approach us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is finished. This is because developers in Birmingham usually 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 property lawyers 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 Birmingham or who has acted in the same development.
I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £305k and found one close by in Birmingham I like with a park and station in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 49 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Birmingham for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a short lease?
If you need a home loan that many years will be an issue. Discount the price by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for at least 2 years you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.