It is is a decade since I bought my property in Clent. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been appointed on the sale but I can't track down my title deeds. Is this a major issue?
Don’t worry too much. Firstly the deeds may be with your lender or they could be in the possession of the conveyancers who handled your purchase. Secondly the chances are that the property will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to prove you are the registered owner by your conveyancing lawyers procuring current official copies of the land registers. Nearly all conveyancing in Clent involves registered property but in the unlikely event that your property is unregistered it adds to the complexity but is not insurmountable.
Is it necessary during the course of the conveyancing process to visit the offices of the solicitor to execute the legal charge? If so, I will choose one who does conveyancing in Clent so that I can attend their offices if necessary.
Most approved lawyers for banks undertake their work via the post, internet or over phone calls. This means that they can undertake the conveyancing transaction regardless of where you live in the country. That being said you should check if you can still book an appointment to visit conveyancing lawyer if just in case this is required.
Me and my brother have a semi-detached Georgian property in Clent. Conveyancing solicitor acted for me and Bank of Ireland. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are a couple of entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold under the matching property. Is it worth asking Bank of Ireland to clarify?
You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Clent and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also enquire as to the position with the conveyancing solicitor who conducted the purchase.
How does conveyancing in Clent differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Clent come to us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is built. This is because developers in Clent usually acquire the real estate, 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 conveyancers 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 Clent or who has acted in the same development.
Over the last few months I have been searching for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and identified one close by in Clent I like with open areas and station nearby, the downside is that it's only got 51 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Clent for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?
If you need a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term will be a potential deal breaker. Discount the offer by the amount the 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 can ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer about this.