My wife and I have lately acquired a property in Upper Walthamstow. We have since encountered a number of problems with the house which we believe were missed in the conveyancing searches. Is there anything we can do? What searches should? have been carried out for conveyancing in Upper Walthamstow?

The question is not clear as to the nature of the problems and if they are specific to conveyancing in Upper Walthamstow. Conveyancing searches and investigations undertaken during the buying process are carried out to help avoid problems. As part of the process, a property owner fills in a questionnaire referred to as a SPIF. If the information provided is misleading, you may have a misrepresentation claim against the vendor for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Upper Walthamstow.

Should my conveyancer be raising questions about flooding during the conveyancing in Upper Walthamstow.

Flooding is a growing risk for solicitors dealing with homes in Upper Walthamstow. There are those who purchase a house in Upper Walthamstow, completely expectant that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical destruction, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, suitable insurance cover, or sell the premises. Steps can be carried out as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.

Lawyers are not best placed to give advice on flood risk, however there are a number of checks that can be initiated by the buyer or by their solicitors which can give them a better understanding of the risks in Upper Walthamstow. The standard completed inquiry forms supplied to a purchaser’s solicitor (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) contains a standard inquiry of the owner to discover whether the premises has historically flooded. If the property has been flooded in past and is not revealed by the owner, then a buyer may commence a legal claim for losses resulting from an inaccurate reply. The buyer’s solicitors will also commission an environmental report. This should indicate if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, more detailed investigations will need to be initiated.

I used Action Conveyancing several years past for my conveyancing in Upper Walthamstow. I now require my papers however cannot find the solicitor. What do I do?

You should call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Upper Walthamstow of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what should have been a simple, no chain conveyancing. Upper Walthamstow is where the house is located. Is there any advice you can give?

Flying freeholds in Upper Walthamstow are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Upper Walthamstow you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Upper Walthamstow 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.

We are four weeks into a residential purchase having been directed to solicitors by the local agent to carry out the conveyancing in Upper Walthamstow. I am am starting to be disappointed with the level of service. Could you you assist me in finding new solicitors?

A solicitor would need to be really poor in order to consider changing them. Has the loan offer been sent? In the event that it has you will need to advise them of the new contact details and get the mortgage documents are issued to the new lawyers. Your solicitor ideally should be on the lenders panel to avoid added costs and delays. So that should be your starting point. Our search tool will assist you in finding a bank approved solicitor for your home move in Upper Walthamstow