What is the first thing I need to know concerning purchase conveyancing in Blackfriars?

Not many law firms or advisers will tell you this but conveyancing in Blackfriars and elsewhere in England and Wales is often a confrontational process. Put another way, when it comes to conveyancing there exists lots of room for friction between you and other parties involved in the transaction. E.g., the vendor, selling agent and even potentially your lender. Appointing a lawyer for your conveyancing in Blackfriars should not be taken lightly as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONLY person in the transaction whose interest is to act in your best interests and to keep you safe.

On occasion a third party with a vested interest will attempt to persuade you that it is in your interests to do things their way. As an example, the estate agent may claim to be assisting by claiming that your conveyancer is wrong. Or your mortgage broker may advise you to do take action that is against your lawyers recommendation. You should always trust your lawyer above all other parties in the home moving process.

Our bank has suggested solicitors on their panel based in Blackfriars but I would rather use a conveyancing lawyer in Blackfriars or nearer to where I live. Can you assist?

The minority of Blackfriars conveyancing practices are approved and listed on all banks conveyancing panel. Use our find an approved solicitor tool to identify a Blackfriars conveyancing conveyancer on the on the bank panel.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in last month in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Blackfriars is the location of the property. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Blackfriars are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Blackfriars you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Blackfriars 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.

I’m about to sell my basement apartment in Blackfriars. Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon, however I have recently received a half-yearly maintenance charge invoice – what should I do?

The sensible thing to do is clear the invoice as usual given that all ground rent and service payments will be allotted as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the purchaser 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. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

Blackfriars Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Queries before Purchasing

On the whole the cost for major works tend not to be included within service charges, albeit that some managing agents in Blackfriars ask tenants to contribute towards a sinking fund created for the specific purpose of establishing a fund for major works. It would be prudent to find out as much as possible concerning the company managing the block as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you are frequently at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to every day matters like the upkeep of the common parts. Don't be shy to ask other people whether they are happy with their management. Finally, find out the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the managing agents and specifically what you get for your money. You should be aware that where the lease has fewer than 80 years it will affect the value of the flat. Check with your lender that they are happy with remaining years on the lease. Leases with fewer than 80 years remaining means that you will almost definitely have to extend the lease at some point and it is worth discovering how much this will be. For most Blackfriarslease extensions you would be required to have been the owner of the residence for a couple of years before you are eligible to extend the lease.

Do online conveyancing organisations undertake everything a high street Blackfriars solicitor does or do I still need to employ a solicitor for the final stages for my conveyancing in Blackfriars?

If you instruct an online conveyancer they will undertake all the tasks your Blackfriars conveyancer will cover.