What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in St Helier? Is this really necessary?

In order to comply with Money Laundering Regulations any St Helier conveyancing firm will require evidence of your identity in all conveyancing matters. This is normally satisfied by provision of a passport and an original bank statement or utility account showing your correct address.

In accordance with Money Laundering Regulations, property lawyers are required to ascertain not simply the identity of conveyancing clients but also the source of monies that they receive in respect of any matter. An unwillingness to disclose this may result in your lawyer terminating their retainer with you, as clearly this will cause a conflict between the set Regulations and a refusal to disclose.

Your property lawyers will have an obligation to notify the relevant authorities should they consider that any monies received by them may contravene the Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules.

We're in St Helier, FTBs purchasing with a mortgage (lender is Lloyds , and our solicitor is on the Lloyds conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the Lloyds conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no solicitor should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on a fortnight ago in what should have been a simple, no chain conveyancing. St Helier is the location of the property. Can you offer any opinion?

Flying freeholds in St Helier are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in St Helier you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in St Helier may ascertain 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 premises.

In my capacity as executor for the will of my father I am selling a property in Swansea but live in St Helier. My lawyer (who is 200 miles awayhas requested that I execute a stat dec ahead of completion. Could you suggest a conveyancing lawyer in St Helier who can attest this legal document for me?

Technically speaking you are not likely to need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally or notary public or qualified solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are St Helier based

What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a St Helier conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a St Helier conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you speak with two or three firms including non St Helier conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions could be useful:

If they are not ALEP accredited then why not? Can they put you in touch with clients in St Helier who can give a testimonial?

I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord to extend my lease without any joy. Can I make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a St Helier conveyancing firm to represent me?

if there is a missing landlord or where there is disagreement about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the LVT to make a decision on the price.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement decision for a St Helier premises is Buchanan Court 39 Vernon Road in April 2010. the Tribunal assessed that the premium payable for the freehold of the block should be £44,000. This case affected 2 flats. The unexpired term as at the valuation date was 66.67 years.