Completion of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Milton. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
All banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Department at head office. We understand that complaints to a lender are sorted out effectively and efficiently. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.
I can not work out if my lender obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date. I have telephoned my Milton building society branch on various occasions and was told it wasn't an issue and they will lend. My Milton conveyancing solicitor - who is on the bank conveyancing panel- called to say that they would not lend in accordance with their UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook minimum lease term requirements. Who do I believe?
The property lawyer has to follow the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook section two conditions for your bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the mortgage company will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the mortgage company to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.
Bank of Ireland have agreed my home loan in principle, my bid on a property in Milton has been agreed to, what are the next steps?
The property agent will want to know who your solicitors are (ensure that the conveyancing practitioners are on the bank’s approved list). Contact Bank of Ireland or the financial adviser and finalise any outstanding paperwork. Bank of Ireland will instruct a valuer who will get in contact with the estate agent or vendor to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about ten days for the mortgage offer to be issued. Bank of Ireland will send the offer to you and your property lawyers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Milton.
A relative advised me that if I am purchasing in Milton I should ask my conveyancer to execute a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
A search of this type is sometimes quoted for as part of the standard Milton conveyancing searches. It is not a small report of more than thirty pages, listing and detailing significant information about Milton around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Milton Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime statistics, Milton Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data regarding Milton.
I used Stirling Law a few years ago for my conveyancing in Milton. I now require my file however cannot find the solicitor. What do I do?
You should call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Milton of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in two weeks back in what was supposed to be a simple, chain free conveyancing. Milton is where the house is located. What do you suggest?
Flying freeholds in Milton are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Milton you would need to get your solicitor to go 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 Milton 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 premises.
I have been sourcing a conveyancing practitioner in Milton for my home move. Can I review a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?
One may find presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions arising from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find details Pre 2008, or to check a firm's record, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may recorded telephone calls for training requirements.