My wife and I purchasing a 3 bedroom semi in Chingford. The intention is to carry out an extension to the side at the property.Will legal due diligence on the property include investigations to determine if these works are permitted?
Your property lawyer should review the registered title as conveyancing in Chingford can sometimes identify restrictions in the title documents which prohibit categories of alterations or require the consent of another owner. Certain additions require local authority planning permissions and approval under the building regulations. Some areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or impact extensions. It would be sensible to check these issues with a surveyor prior to committing yourself to a purchase.
is it true that all Chingford solicitor practices on the Nationwide conveyancing panel are overseen by the SRA?
As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the Nationwide approved list of solicitors they would need to be overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Many lenders do permit licenced conveyancers on their panel and in such a situation the practice would be overseen by the CLC.
I am purchasing a property in Chingford. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Kent Reliance have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Kent Reliance your lawyer must comply with the conveyancing instructions set out in Part 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Kent Reliance. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook sets out minimum specifications for solar panel roof-space leases, and lawyers are required to report to Kent Reliance where a lease fails to comply with these provisions. The specifications relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not restricted to Chingford.
Is it necessary to pay for insurance to address the risk of chancel repairs when acquiring a property in Chingford?
Unless a previous acquisition of the house completed after 12 October 2013 you could expect conveyancing practitioners handling conveyancing in Chingford to continue to propose a a chancel search and or chancel repair liability insurance.
My wife and I purchased a renovated Edwardian property in Chingford. Conveyancing solicitor acted for me and Alliance & Leicester . I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw two entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold under the exact same address. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??
You need to 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 proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Chingford and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also enquire as to the position with the conveyancing solicitor who completed the work.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I have offered on a fortnight ago in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Chingford is the location of the property. What do you suggest?
Flying freeholds in Chingford are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Chingford you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Chingford 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.
Given that I am about to spend 450k on a property in Chingford I would like to talk to a conveyancer about mytransaction in advance of appointing the firm. Can this be arranged?
Absolutely - it is our preference to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you first talking to the conveyancer due to be carrying out your conveyancing in Chingford.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is an important individual, not a matter reference. The solicitors that we put you in touch with believe that the fees you are quoted for your conveyancing in Chingford should be the figure that you end up paying.