My partner’s mother is a solicitor. I anticipate that I will be offered mate’s rates for conveyancing, However if that does not come through, what level of fees would I typically be looking at for conveyancing in Crowland?
It’s a good idea to look for two or three conveyancing estimates. Do use our comparison tool on this page. Whilst prices do vary but service levels do differ between conveyancers as is true with the vast majority of professional services.
I own a freehold property in Crowland but still charged rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in Crowland and has limited impact for conveyancing in Crowland but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.
Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges have existed for many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.
Previous rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 will be dispensed with completely.
How does conveyancing in Crowland differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Crowland contact us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is ready to move into. This is because new home sellers in Crowland usually buy 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 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 used to new build conveyancing in Crowland or who has acted in the same development.
I am 17 days into a leasehold purchase having been referred to a firm by the local agent to handle our conveyancing in Crowland. I am not happy. Can you you assist me in finding new conveyancers?
A solicitor would need to be really poor to suggest changing them. Has your loan offer been generated? If so you will need to inform them of the new contact details and ensure the offer are re-sent. Your conveyancer needs to be on the mortgage company panel to avoid escalating fees and frustration. So that should be your starting point. The search tool will help you find a bank approved conveyancer for your home move in Crowland
My wife and I are purchasing a studio flat in Crowland. When we first instructed property lawyer, they assured us that they were on all mainstream mortgage company panels. The mortgage broker emailed yesterday to advise that they don't appear to be on the Leeds Building Society approved list. Should that be true, what should we do? Do we simply choose a different lawyer that is on their approved list or should we pay for dual representation, with Leeds Building Society appointing their own approved lawyer.
When acquiring a property with the benefit of a mortgage it is standard for the purchaser’s lawyers to also act for the purchaser's lender. In order to act for a bank or building society a conveyancer has to be on that lender's list of approved lawyers. An application has to be made by the solicitor to the lender to become a member of the lender's panel and there are increasingly strict criteria which the property lawyer has to meet. Some banks now require their panel members to be part of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme. Your solicitor should call Leeds Building Society and see if they can apply for membership of their conveyancing panel, but if that is not viable they will instruct their own solicitors to act. You don't have to instruct a firm on Leeds Building Society's conveyancing panel as you are at liberty to use your preferred Crowland lawyers, in which case it will likely add costs, and it will likely delay the transaction as you are adding another solicitor into the mix.