A friend informed me that in buying a property in Groby there may be various restrictions preventing external alterations to the property. Is this right?

We are aware of a number of properties in Groby which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to carry out external variations. Part of the conveyancing in Groby should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

is it true that all Groby solicitors on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel are governed by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?

As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel they would need to be governed by the SRA. Some banks do permit licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be overseen by the CLC.

We are getting the release of further monies on our mortgage from Santander as we wish to carry out a loft conversion to our property in Groby. Are we obliged to select a bricks and mortar Groby solicitor on the Santander conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?

Santander don't usually require a member of their approved list of lawyers to handle the formalities. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Santander conveyancing panel.

The deeds to my home can not be found. The lawyers who handled the conveyancing in Groby 4 years ago have long since closed. What do I do?

Gone are the days when you need to have the physical official documentation to evidence that you own the land or premises, as the Land Registry hold details of all registered land or property electronically.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build flat in Groby. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Set out below is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Groby

Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore.

I have been on the look out for a flat up to £235,500 and found one round the corner in Groby I like with amenity areas and station nearby, however it only has 52 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Groby for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?

If you require a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be an issue. Discount the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing owner has owned the property for at least twenty four months you can request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.

Should I be suspicious that 3rd parties that I am dealing with are recommending an online conveyancing firm as opposed to a local Groby conveyancing firm?

As with many professional services, often input from connections can be very helpful. Nevertheless there are lots of parties with a vested interest in a conveyancing deal; estate agents, financial adviser and banks may put forward conveyancers to retain. Sometimes the solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as one of the best in their field, but sometimes there exists a commercial relationship behind the recommendation. You have the discretion to appoint your preferred conveyancer. However, bear in mind that many mortgage providers specify a panel list of solicitors you must use for the mortgage related work in your conveyancing.