As a first time buyer what is the most important number one tip you can impart about purchase conveyancing in Grantham?

Not many law firms shout this from the rooftops but conveyancing in Grantham and elsewhere in Lincolnshire is an adversarial experience. Put another way, when it comes to conveyancing there exists plenty of opportunity for conflict between you and other parties involved in the legal transfer of property. For instance, the vendor, selling agent and sometimes the mortgage company. Choosing a solicitor for your conveyancing in Grantham should not be taken lightly as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONLY party in the legal process whose interest is to act in your legal interests and to keep you safe.

We are witnessing a worrying increase in the "blame" culture- someone has to be blamed for the process taking so long. You your first instinct should be to trust your solicitor ahead of the other players in the home moving process.

I have a decision in principle. The bank mentioned the loan came with free conveyancing. Is the implication that I have to instruct their panel lawyer as I would much rather appoint a local conveyancing solicitor in Grantham?

You should check but the chances are that appoint one of their panel conveyancers should you take up the "fee-free" incentive. Speak to the bank to ask if they offer you a cash alternative. It is not unheard for a lender to give a £250 cashback as a further option in which case you could put that amount towards your preferred conveyancing solicitor in Grantham.

I am using a search engine for the phrase conveyancing in Grantham it shows results of numerous property lawyersin the vicinity. With so much choice what is the best way to find the right property lawyer for purchase transaction?

The ideal method of finding the right conveyancer is through a trusted referral, so seek the guidance of friends and those you trust who have bought a property in Grantham or a local estate agent or mortgage broker. Fees for conveyancing in Grantham differ, so it's a good idea to request a minimum of four fee calculations from different conveyancers. Be sure to secure confirmation that the fees are fixed.

Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Grantham from the perspective of speeding up the sale process?

• Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Grantham can be bypassed if you appoint lawyers as soon as you market your property and request that they start to put together the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers’ solicitors.
A minority of Grantham leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this applies to your lease, it would be prudent to place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers obtain financial (bank) and professional references. The bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are financially capable of paying the yearly service charge and the actual amount of the service charge should be quoted in the bank’s letter. You will therefore need to provide your estate agents with the actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their lawyers. If you have the benefit of shareholding in the freehold, you should ensure that you have the original share document. Arranging a re-issued share certificate is often a lengthy formality and delays many a Grantham conveyancing transaction. If a new share certificate is required, you should approach the company officers or managing agents (if relevant) for this as soon as possible. If you have carried out any alterations to the residence would they have required Landlord’s permission? Have you, for example laid down wooden flooring? Grantham leases often stipulate that internal structural changes or addition of wooden flooring necessitate a licence issued by the Landlord acquiescing to such changes. If you dont have the approvals in place do not contact the landlord without contacting your conveyancer before hand. You believe that you know the number of years remaining on your lease but you should double-check via your solicitors. A buyer’s lawyer will be unlikely to recommend their client to to exchange contracts if the remaining number of years is less than 80 years. In the circumstances it is essential at an as soon as possible that you consider whether the lease for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

Grantham Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should consider before buying

If a Grantham lease has less than eighty years it will affect the salability of the property. Check with your bank that they are content with residual term of the lease. Leases with fewer than 80 years remaining means that you will probably have to extend the lease sooner rather than later and you need to have some idea of how much this will be. For most Granthamlease extensions you will need to own the premises for a couple of years in order to be legally able to carry out a lease extension. You will want to find out as much as possible concerning the company managing the building as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. As the proprietor of a leasehold property you are often in the clutches of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to every day issues such as the tidiness of the communal areas. Ask other people whether they are happy with their management. On a final note, investigate as to the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the appropriate party and precisely what it includes. Is there a share of the freehold?

We recently discovered that one of the directors of the conveyancing practice undertaking the purchase conveyancing in Grantham is is the sister of the owners that we are purchasing from. Is this acceptable?

Provided there is no conflict of interest this is permitted. If you are requiring mortgage finance then the lender may have a say as many lenders have specific requirements concerning this. For example for Skipton Building Society as of 14/11/2024, the requirements read as follows :