Can your site be used to recommend a Conveyancing solicitor in Oxfordshire even if I’m not purchasing or disposing of a house, for instance where I want to acquire an office in Oxfordshire with a mortgage from Lloyds TSB Bank?

The service is predominantly used to help choose residential conveyancing solicitors in Oxfordshire but we have set out towards the bottom of this page a few Oxfordshire commercial conveyancing firms. You will need to speak with the company directly to see if they are also authorised to represent Lloyds TSB Bank

I am in the process of refinancing my apartment in Oxfordshire, does my lawyer need to be on the Bank of Ireland Conveyancing panel?

There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor, but Bank of Ireland will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is much more potential for delays and confusion with two solicitors involved, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I put an offer in last month in what was supposed to be a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Oxfordshire is where the house is located. Is there any guidance you can give?

Flying freeholds in Oxfordshire are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Oxfordshire you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Oxfordshire may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.

I have recently realised that I have Fifty years unexpired on my flat in Oxfordshire. I am keen to extend my lease but my freeholder is absent. What options are available to me?

If you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the Court. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have done all that could be expected to locate the lessor. On the whole an enquiry agent would be useful to carry out a search and prepare an expert document which can be accepted by the court as proof that the landlord can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a solicitor in relation to investigating the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing Oxfordshire.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Oxfordshire - A selection of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

Its a good idea to find out as much as you can concerning the company managing the building as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. As the proprietor of a leasehold property you are frequently at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to every day issues like the upkeep of the communal areas. Ask prospective neighbours whether they are happy with their management. Finally, investigate as to the dates that the maintenance fees are due to the managing agents and specifically what you get for your money. For most Oxfordshire leaseholds the cost for major works are not included within service charges, although a few managing agents in Oxfordshire ask leasehold owners to contribute towards a reserve fund and this is used to offset against major works. The answer will be helpful as a) areas may cause problems in the building as the common areas may begin to deteriorate where maintenance remain unpaid b) if the leasehold owners have a dispute with the running of the building you will wish to know about it

I purchased a flat in Oxfordshire last 9/10/2023 and to date it is still not recorded with HMLR. It was part of a new estate and my solicitor told me that it can take twelve months to register. I have spoken with the Land Registry directly and they have informed me the original application was cancelled due to failure to reply to requisitions. Do I need to be concerned?

Call your property lawyer - Where you are unsatisfied with the responses, enquire as to their internal complaints protocol and escalate your problem to a Complaints Manager. Registrations for Oxfordshire conveyancing are not known to be especially complex.