I am buying a house for cash in Kent. I have resided for the previous dozen years in Kent. Conveyancing searches are expensive. Given that I know the road and vicinity intimately must I have all the conveyancing searches?

In the absence of a home loan, then all but one or two of the Kent conveyancing searches are non-obligatory. Your conveyancer will ’encourage you, perhaps strongly, that you should have searches done, but she is duty bound to take that path of encouragement . One thing to take into account; if you are intend to dispose of the house in the future, it may be of relevance to your prospective purchaser what the searches contain. Sometimes houses with no practical issues can still throw up negative search results. A competent conveyancing solicitor in Kent should be able to give you some helpful advice concerning this.

As someone not used to the Kent conveyancing process what’s your top tip you can impart for the house moving process in Kent

Not many law firms or advisers will tell you this but conveyancing in Kent and elsewhere in England and Wales is an adversarial experience. In other words, when it comes to conveyancing there is lots of opportunity for conflict between you and others involved in the house moving process. E.g., the vendor, property agent and even potentially your bank. Appointing a lawyer for your conveyancing in Kent is a critical decision as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the SOLE party in the process whose interest is to protect your best interests and to protect you.

Sometimes a third party with a vested interest may try and sway you that you should follow their advice. For instance, the estate agent may claim to be assisting by suggesting your lawyer is wrong. Or your mortgage broker may try to convince you to do take action that is against your conveyancers recommendation. You should always trust your lawyer above all other parties in the home moving process.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what should have been a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Kent is the location of the property. Can you offer any assistance?

Flying freeholds in Kent are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Kent you would need to get your solicitor to go 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 Kent 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.

I am using a search engine for the phrase conveyancing in Kent it shows results of numerous conveyancerslocally. How do I determine which is the right conveyancer for me?

The preferential method of seeking the right conveyancer is through a personal testimonial, so enquire of friends and relatives who have acquired a property in Kent or the respected estate agent or mortgage broker. Fees for conveyancing in Kent vary, so it's advisable to request at least four quotes from different conveyancers. Make sure that you clarify that the fees are fixed.

I would like to rent out my leasehold flat in Kent. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Do I need to ask my freeholder for permission?

Some leases for properties in Kent do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord is not entitled to unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to review references. Experience suggests that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting permission.

Kent Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Queries before buying

How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments? The answer will be important as a) areas may cause problems in the building as the communal areas may begin to deteriorate if repairs are not paid for b) if the tenants have an issue with the managing agents you will need to have full disclosure It would be a good idea to find out if the the lease contains any adverse restrictions in the lease. By way of example it is very common in Kent leases that pets are not allowed in in a block in Kent. If you like the flatin Kent but your cat is not allowed to move with you then you have a very hard choice.