My wife and I are nearing an exchange on a property in Chichester and my mum and dad have sent the exchange deposit to my conveyancing practitioner. I am now told that as the deposit has been received from someone other than me my conveyancing practitioner needs to disclose this to my mortgage company. I am advised that, in also acting for the bank he must advise them that the balance of the purchase price is not just from me. I informed the mortgage company about my parents' contribution when I applied for the home loan, so is it really appropriate for this now to delay the deal?
Your lawyer is legally required to clarify with lender to ensure that they know that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only disclose this to your lender if you permit them to, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
My mortgage company has suggested a law firm on their panel based in Chichester but I would rather instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Chichester round the corner to me. Can you help?
The minority of Chichester conveyancing firms are approved and listed on all lender’s conveyancing panel. Do make the most of the above search tool to identify a Chichester conveyancing conveyancer on the on the bank panel.
Do I find a Licenced Conveyancer or Solicitor for conveyancing in Chichester?
There are many recorded licenced Conveyancers in Chichester and Solicitor partnerships in Chichester who provide Conveyancing services It is important to make clear that both are regulated professionals specialising in the legal aspects of transferring property. They may both also deal with other property legal work such as remortgage conveyancing, lease extensions and transfer of equity conveyancing.
I've digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Chichester solicitor - who is on the RBS conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
RBS will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually RBS will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Chichester surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
At last I have had an offer on a flat in Chichester accepted, the sellers do nevertheless have a connected purchase. The vendors have placed an offer on somewhere, however it’s not yet tied up, and have viewings of other apartments in the pipeline. I have instructed a nearby conveyancing solicitor in Chichester. What do I do now? At what point do I apply for the mortgage with Lloyds?
It is understandable to have anxieties where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to incur costs prematurely (mortgage application is approx £1k, then survey, Chichester conveyancing search charges, etc). First, you should ensure that your solicitor is on the Lloyds conveyancing panel. Regarding the next steps this very much dictated by the circumstances of your transaction, attraction to the property and on the state of the market. In a buoyant market many purchasers would apply for a home loan with Lloyds and arrange for the valuation and only if it was satisfactory would they ask their lawyer to proceed with searches.
Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Chichester?
Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Chichester. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on a fortnight ago in what should have been a simple, no chain conveyancing. Chichester is where the house is located. Is there any guidance you can give?
Flying freeholds in Chichester are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Chichester you must be sure that your lawyer goes 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 Chichester 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 residence.
How does the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 affect my business property in Chichester and how can your lawyers assist?
The 1954 Act affords a safeguard to business leaseholders, granting the right to apply to court for a continuation of occupancy at the end of the lease term. There are limited grounds where a landlord can refuse a lease renewal and the rules are involved. Fees are different for commercial conveyancing. Chichester is one of our many locations in which our lawyers have offices