We are planning to acquire a property and require a conveyancing solicitor in Chichester who is on the Virgin Money solicitor panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a conveyancing firm?
Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Virgin Money . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Chichester.
We are hoping to buy a newbuild flat in Chichester with a mortgage from TSB.We would like to retain our Chichester conveyancing practitioner but TSB advised that he's not listed on their approved list of firms. It seems we have little choice but to instruct a TSB panel firm or keep our preferred solicitor and fork out for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; Can we not simply insist that TSB use our lawyer?
No, not really. The home loan offered to you contains terms and conditions, a common one being that conveyancers will be on the TSB conveyancing panel. Until recently, most mortgage companies had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could find one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for TSB
I have a semi-detached Edwardian house in Chichester. Conveyancing solicitor acted for me and Coventry Building Society. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw two entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold with the exact same property. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?
You should read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Chichester and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also check the situation with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the purchase.
Given that I will soon part with 450k on a garden flat in Chichester I would like to talk to a lawyer about myhome move ahead of appointing the firm. Is this something that you can arrange?
Absolutely - we would be happy to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you first talking to the conveyancer due to be doing your conveyancing in Chichester.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is unique individual, not a matter reference. The law firms that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are provided with for residential conveyancing in Chichester should be the amount on the final invoice that you end up paying.
Am I best advised to appoint a Chichester conveyancing lawyer in close proximity to the house I am hoping to buy? An old friend can conduct the legal formalities but his firm is located 200miles drive away.
The primary upside of using a local Chichester conveyancing firm is that you can attend the office to sign documents, present your ID and pester them if necessary. Having local Chichester know how is a benefit. However nothing is more important than finding someone that will do a good and efficient job. If if people you trust used your friend and in the main were content that should trump using an unfamiliar Chichester conveyancing solicitor just because they are based in the area.
I have just appointed agents to market my ground floor apartment in Chichester. Conveyancing has not commenced, however I have just received a quarterly maintenance charge invoice – Do I pay up?
Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should clear the maintenance contribution as you normally would given that all rents and service invoices should be allotted on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. This will smooth the conveyancing process.
I purchased a basement flat in Chichester, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Comparable flats in Chichester with over 90 years remaining are worth £202,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £60 invoiced every year. The lease runs out on 21st October 2083
With just 57 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £28,500 and £33,000 as well as professional fees.
The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional concerns that need to be taken into account and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.