A relative advised me that where I am buying in Ellesmere Port I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

This is a search is sometimes quoted for as part of the standard Ellesmere Port conveyancing searches. It is a large document of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out significant information about Ellesmere Port around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Ellesmere Port Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime statistics, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data regarding Ellesmere Port.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified as part of conveyancing in Ellesmere Port?

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Ellesmere Port. 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…’

How does conveyancing in Ellesmere Port differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Ellesmere Port approach us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because developers in Ellesmere Port tend to purchase the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Ellesmere Port or who has acted in the same development.

We are one month into a leasehold purchase having been directed to conveyancers by the estate agent to perform conveyancing in Ellesmere Port. I am am starting to be dissatisfied with the level of service. Can you you assist me in finding new solicitors?

They would need to be very poor to suggest changing them. Has the mortgage offer been issued? If so you need to inform them of the new contact details and get the offer are issued to the new lawyers. Your new solicitor ideally needs to be on the mortgage company panel to avoid added expenses and complications. That should be your starting point. The find a solicitor tool can assist you in finding a bank approved conveyancer for your home move in Ellesmere Port

Last July I purchased a leasehold house in Ellesmere Port. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Leasehold Conveyancing in Ellesmere Port - Examples of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

The prefered form of lease structure is a share of the freehold. In this situation the lessees enjoy being in charge if their destiny and notwithstanding that a managing agent is frequently employed where it is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent is directed by the tenants. It would be sensible to investigate if the the lease includes any adverse restrictions in the lease. By way of example it is fairly common in Ellesmere Port leases that pets are not permitted in in a block in Ellesmere Port. If you love the apartmentin Ellesmere Port however your cat is not allowed to move with you then you will be faced hard determination.