All was ready to move into my new home in Storrington next Thursday. My conveyancing practitioner now wants me to supply her with evidence of content and building insurance for the property as as she informs me that she is duty bound to validate that it is in order for the bank. What does the insurance need to cover?

All property lawyers on acting for lenders would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions. These obligations are not unique to conveyancing in Storrington.

My lawyer in Storrington has never been on on the Britannia Approved Panel. Can I still retain my family solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the Britannia panel?

The limited options available to you here include:

1. Carry on with your preferred Storrington solicitors but Britannia will need to retain a lawyer on their panel. This will inevitably rack up the total conveyancing charges as well as result in frustration.
2. Get a new practitioner to act in the purchase, not forgetting to check they are Persuade your solicitor to do everything within their powers to join the Britannia conveyancing panel

How does conveyancing in Storrington differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Storrington approach 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 developers in Storrington usually acquire 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 conveyancers 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 Storrington or who has acted in the same development.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on a fortnight ago in what should have been a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Storrington is where the house is located. Can you offer any opinion?

Flying freeholds in Storrington are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Storrington you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Storrington may decide 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.

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have since discovered that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a house with a leasehold title in Storrington. Conveyancing solicitors have are soon to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Storrington are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area who can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are buying in Storrington so you should seriously consider looking for a Storrington conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example obtaining the landlord’sconsent to carry out changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a maintenance charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is located on an estate. Your solicitor should report to you on the legal implications.

Storrington Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

What is the length of the lease? How much is the annual service fee and ground rent? Where a Storrington lease has fewer than eighty years it will affect the value of the property. Check with your lender that they are willing to go ahead with the loan given the lease term. Leases with fewer than 80 years remaining means that you will most likely have to extend the lease at some point and you need to have some idea of what this will be. Remember, in most cases you would need to own the premises for two years in order to be entitled to extend the lease.