It is a dozen years since I acquired my house in Kew. Conveyancing solicitors have now been instructed on the sale but I can't find my title documents. Is this a major issue?
You need not be too concerned. First there is a chance that the deeds will be with your lender or they may stored with the conveyancers who oversaw your purchase. Secondly in all probability the title will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing lawyers obtaining current official copies of the land registers. Most conveyancing in Kew relates to registered property but in the unlikely event that your property is not registered it adds to the complexity but is resolvable.
My wife and I are intent on selling our property in Kew and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was constructed on contaminated land. A high street Kew conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. For the life of me I don't know why the buyers instructed a web based conveyancing practice rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Kew. Having lived in Kew for many years we know of no issue. Do we get in touch with our local Authority to obtain clarification that there is no issue.
It would appear that you have a conveyancing solicitor currently acting for you. What do they say? You need to enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same illness)
How does conveyancing in Kew differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Kew come to us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because developers in Kew typically purchase the site, 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 Kew or who has acted in the same development.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on two weeks back in what should have been a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Kew is where the house is located. Can you shed any light on this issue?
Flying freeholds in Kew are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Kew you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds thoroughly. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Kew 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.
How do I use your search facility to find a conveyancing practitioner in Kew on the authorised to act for my mortgage?
First select a lender such as Yorkshire Building Society, Virgin Money or Bank of Ireland then type in your location for example Kew. Conveyancing firms in Kew and beyond will then be listed.