Do lawyers request money up-front for my conveyancing in Hastings?

Where you are retaining lawyers for conveyancing in Hastings your lawyer will request that you put them with monies to cover the search fees. Generally this is asked for to cover the fees of the Local Authority Search. If any down payment is payable against the sale price then this will be required shortly in advance of exchange of contracts. The final balance that is needed should be transferred shortly before completion.

This question may be naive but I am unseasoned as a 1st time purchaser of a garden flat in Hastings. Do I pick up the keys to the premises on the completion date from my conveyancer? If this is the case, I will find a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Hastings?

There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will transfer the purchase money to the vendor’s conveyancers, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you will be able to receive the keys from the Estate Agents and move into your new home. This tends to happen between 1 and 3pm.

I am buying a property in Hastings. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender HSBC be concerned?

Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with HSBC your lawyer must check the conveyancing instructions set out in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for HSBC. The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and lawyers are required to report to HSBC where a lease does not meet these conditions. The provisions relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not limited to Hastings.

My wife and I are in the throws of viewing flats in Hastings and I am about to put in an offer. Should I already have a conveyancing practitioner in place at this point? I am planning to take a home loan with TSB.

It would be prudent to commence your search sooner rather than later. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their contact information on to the estate agent. Given that you are taking out a mortgage with TSB, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the TSB conveyancing panel.

I am buying a new build flat in Hastings. 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.

Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Hastings

There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company?

My husband and I are novice buyers - had an offer accepted, yet the agent advised that the owners will only issue a contract if we use the agent's chosen lawyers as they need an ‘expedited deal’. We would rather use a family conveyancer who is accustomed to conveyancing in Hastings

It is unlikely the owners are driving this. Should the vendor require ‘a quick sale', turning down a genuine purchaser is counter productive. Try to communicate with the vendors directly and make the point that (a)you are serious buyers (b)you are ready to progress, with finances arranged © you are chain free (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)however you are going to instruct your own,trusted Hastings conveyancing lawyers - as opposed tothe ones that will give their negotiator at the agency a kickback or meet his conveyancing figures pre-set by corporate headquarters.

Completion is due on the disposal of our £300,000 maisonette in Hastings next Tuesday. The management company has quoted £360 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and previous years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge exorbitant fees for a flat conveyance in Hastings?

Hastings conveyancing on leasehold apartments usually necessitates the purchaser’s conveyancer sending enquiries for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to respond to such questions the majority will be willing to assist. They may levy a reasonable administration fee for responding to questions or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average fee for the information that you are referring to is £350, in some cases it is above £800. The management information fee required by the landlord must be sent together with a synopsis of rights and obligations in respect of administration charges, otherwise the charge is technically not due. In reality you have little choice but to pay whatever is demanded should you wish to complete the sale of your home.

I own a ground floor flat in Hastings, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Similar properties in Hastings with over 90 years remaining are worth £222,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 per annum. The lease terminates on 21st October 2094

You have 70 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £9,500 and £11,000 as well as legals.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed due diligence. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other issues that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.