What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Portishead? What am I being asked for?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to check the identification documents of the potential client they are dealing with prior to agreeing to accepting their conveyancing instruction. The Client Care letter that you are required to sign should stipulate this. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with the CML Lenders Handbook requirements last updated on 1st December 2014. Should you refuse to hand over identification documents, your solicitor would not be able to accept instructions from you.
I have today made my last payment due on my mortgage with Aldermore. I assume I don't need a Portishead conveyancer on the Aldermore panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
If you have finished paying off your Aldermore mortgage, they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Aldermore mortgage from the register. Aldermore, and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
- but are not moving to another property
- where Aldermore has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
- Aldermore has instructed the Land Registry to do so
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Portishead off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Virgin Money. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Virgin Money, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel.
About to purchase house in Portishead. I have received an online quote from a licenced conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Co-operative conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that the Portishead solicitor is on the Co-operative conveyancing panel.
How does conveyancing in Portishead differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Portishead contact us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is ready to move into. This is because house builders in Portishead typically buy the land, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Portishead or who has acted in the same development.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in last month in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Portishead is where the house is located. Is there any guidance you can impart?
Flying freeholds in Portishead are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Portishead you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Portishead 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 need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Portishead for my house move. Is it possible to check a firm’s record with the legal regulator?
Anyone can see published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations commenced on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For records Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA could monitor call for training purposes.