I have just started taking steps with the intention of swapping over from my current residential home loan to a BTL Platform Home Loans Ltd mortgage. I was told by my mortgage that I need a conveyancer for this. I spoke to my former Rochester conveyancing firm who who did the conveyancing when I originally purchased the premises. The costs estimate supplied of £500 has surprised me as its a refinance than a sale or purchase.

The estimate does seem a little steep. If you shop around you might get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by perhaps £125. That being said, assuming were pleased with the legal work the firm offered you mightcome to regret choosing an a cheaper conveyancer. If is important to be sure that the solicitor can represent Platform Home Loans Ltd. Do use our search tool to locate a Rochester conveyancing firm on the Platform Home Loans Ltd member panel, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Rochester.

I am looking to sell my house. My former solicitors closed down. I would be grateful for any recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in Rochester if that makes things easier.

You should use our search tool to help you find a solicitor for your conveyancing in Rochester. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with lender approved solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs smoothly.

I need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Rochester for my sale. Is there any facility to review a firm’s complaints history with the profession’s regulator?

Members of the public may find documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions arising from inquisitions started on or after 1 January 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors history, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. International callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator could monitor telephone calls for training reasons.

Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Rochester with the aim of speeding up the sale process?

• Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Rochester can be bypassed where you appoint lawyers the minute you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold information needed by the buyers’ lawyers.
If you have carried out any alterations to the residence would they have required Landlord’s permission? In particular have you installed wooden flooring? Most leases in Rochester state that internal structural changes or addition of wooden flooring require a licence issued by the Landlord consenting to such works. If you fail to have the paperwork in place you should not communicate with the landlord without checking with your lawyer in advance. You may think that you are aware of the number of years left on your lease but you should double-check via your conveyancers. A purchaser's conveyancer will be unlikely to recommend their client to to exchange contracts if the lease term is less than 80 years. In the circumstances it is important at an as soon as possible that you identify whether the lease requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale. If you are supposed to have a share in the Management Company, you should ensure that you are holding the original share document. Arranging a replacement share certificate can be a time consuming process and slows down many a Rochester conveyancing transaction. If a new share certificate is needed, do contact the company officers or managing agents (if applicable) for this sooner rather than later. A minority of Rochester leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this is the case, you should place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers obtain bank and professional references. The bank reference should make it clear that the buyer is able to meet 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 buyers or their lawyers.

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

You will want to discover as much as you can regarding the company managing the block as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you are often at the mercy of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to practical matters such as the cleanliness of the communal areas. You should not be afraid to ask other people what they think of them. Finally, be sure you understand the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the managing agents and specifically how they are spending that money. Does the lease contain onerous restrictions?

Me and my wife have agreed a price on a Rochester apartment we inherited six years ago in 2010. I have over twenty years conveyancing knowledge and, although retired, see no reason not to conduct the legal work. The purchaser's property lawyer has informed me that their bank will not allow us to do our own conveyancing as they require the funds to be sent to a solicitor's bank account.

Lending instructions to solicitors from all mainstream lenders specify that If the seller is not legally represented the borrower's lawyers should check whether the mortgage company needs to be notified so that a decision can be made if they are prepared to progress.