Do I have to visit the offices of the solicitor to execute the legal charge? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Shenfield so that I can pop in to their offices if required.

As opposed to ten years ago, most banks no longer oblige their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the mortgagors signature. You will still be obliged to supply identification documents and there are still distinct advantages to using a local practitioner, in your case a conveyancing solicitor in Shenfield.

What is your number one tip for choosing a conveyancing solicitor in Shenfield

Do not opt for the lowest Shenfield conveyancing quote. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you know exactly what you’ll have to pay in ahead of the deal.

I had an offer accepted on a house in Shenfield on 3/1/2025, valuation was booked 3 days later, received a clean bill of health. Property lawyer appointed, so the only thing outstanding was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Aldermore and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Aldermore conveyancing panel. Are Aldermore entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?

Mortgage companies tend not to not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Aldermore to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Aldermore conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

Santander have agreed my home loan in principle, my bid on a house in Shenfield has been agreed to, what are the next steps?

Your estate agent will want to be advised as to your solicitor's details (make sure the lawyers are on the lender’s approved list). Telephone Santander or the broker and finalise any outstanding paperwork. Santander will instruct a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a fortnight to get a mortgage offer. Santander will issue the offer to you and your lawyers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Shenfield.

4 months have elapsed since my purchase conveyancing in Shenfield completed. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £215,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the asset from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build apartment in Shenfield. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build conveyancing.

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

Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. 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. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore.

I am looking for a ground for flat up to £235,500 and found one close by in Shenfield I like with open areas and railway links in the vicinity, the downside is that it only has 61 years on the lease. There is not much else in Shenfield in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a lease with such few years left?

If you require a home loan that many years will be problematic. Reduce the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the premises for at least 2 years you may request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.