What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Cambridgeshire? Is this really warranted?

You are right in the requirement set out by your solicitor has nothing to do with conveyancing in Cambridgeshire. Nowadays you can not proceed with any conveyancing process if you have not handing over evidence of your identity. Ordinarily this takes the form of a either your passport or driving licence as well as a council tax bill. Remember if you are supplying your driving licence as proof of ID it must be both the paper section as well as the photo card part, one is not satisfactory in the absence of the other.

Proof of the source of funds is required under Money Laundering Regulations. Please do not be offended when you are asked to produce this as your conveyancing solicitor will need to have this information on file. Your Cambridgeshire conveyancing practitioner will need to see evidence of proof of funds before they are able to accept any money from you into their client account and they will also ask additional queries concerning the source of funds.

I can see plenty of information on this site about conveyancing in Cambridgeshire but can you isolate your top tip for selecting the right conveyancer in Cambridgeshire

Do not opt for the lowest Cambridgeshire conveyancing costs illustration. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

My wife and I buying a 4 bedroom semi-detached house in Cambridgeshire. We would like to carry out a loft conversion at the property.Will legal investigations on the property include investigations to see if these alterations are allowed?

Your conveyancer will review the deeds as conveyancing in Cambridgeshire can sometimes identify restrictions in the title deeds which prevent certain works or need the permission of another owner. Some works need local authority planning permissions and approval in compliance with building regulations. Some locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or impact extensions. It would be prudent to check these issues with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.

Having read lots of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Cambridgeshire solicitor - who is on the conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?

will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually 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. Your will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Cambridgeshire postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with , you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Cambridgeshire.

Various web forums that I have visited warn that are the number one cause of delay in Cambridgeshire conveyancing transactions. Is that correct?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released determinations of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the top 10 causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are not likely to feature in any holding up conveyancing in Cambridgeshire.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build apartment in Cambridgeshire. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build conveyancing.

Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Cambridgeshire

Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. Please supply a car parking plan. Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on two weeks back in what was supposed to be a quick, chain free conveyancing. Cambridgeshire is where the house is located. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Cambridgeshire are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Cambridgeshire you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds diligently. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Cambridgeshire may determine 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.