What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Rickmansworth? Why is this being asked of me?

Rickmansworth conveyancing solicitors and indeed property lawyers throughout the UK have a duty under money laundering regulations to verify the identity of any client in order to ensure that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients will need to produce two forms of certified ID; proof of ID (usually a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (typically a Bank Statement less than 3 months old).

Proof of the origin of monies is also required in compliance with the money laundering regulations as solicitors are obliged to check that the money you are using to acquire a property (be it the exchange deposit or the full purchase price where you are a cash purchaser) has come from an acceptable source (such as employment savings) rather than the proceeds of illegitimate behaviour.

I can see plenty of information on this site concerning conveyancing in Rickmansworth but what is your top tip for appointing the right conveyancer in Rickmansworth

It would be unwise to be seduced by the cheapest Rickmansworth conveyancing quote. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

Is there a list of Nationwide panel conveyancers in Rickmansworth on the Council of Mortgage Lender’s Website?

No. There is no such directory service on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association sites. Very few lending institutions make their panel listings visible online. If you are looking for a Rickmansworth property lawyer on the Nationwide please use our facility.

We previously appointed conveyancers with offices in Rickmansworth on the Nationwide solicitor panel. They are now charging me a further sum for the legal aspects of the Nationwide mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee specified by Nationwide?

Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms of Engagement or estimate then yes your conveyancing practitioner may levy a fee for this. This charge is not set by Nationwide but by your Rickmansworth property lawyer. Numerous firms on the Nationwide panel will charge ’dealing with mortgage’ fee and others do not.

How does conveyancing in Rickmansworth differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Rickmansworth come to us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is completed. This is because developers in Rickmansworth tend to buy the real estate, 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 conveyancers 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 Rickmansworth or who has acted in the same development.

I am a sole trader wishing to take an assignment of a lease of an office on a shopping parade. Can you recommend conveyancers offering no-move-no charges for non-domestic conveyancing in Rickmansworth for below £2000?

We are happy to recommend firms who have specialist knowledge of commercial conveyancing in Rickmansworth, including the sale and acquisition of businesses as well as simply premises. Whether you are intending to acquire or dispose of a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail unit or a complete business we will find you the right firm. Regarding the costs these will vary based on the structure and nuances of the proposed transaction. Please provide us with your details or call so as to enable us to provide you with a fixed commercial conveyancing quote.

I am attracted to a two apartments in Rickmansworth both have in the region of forty five years remaining on the leases. Will this present a problem?

There are no two ways about it. A leasehold flat in Rickmansworth is a wasting asset as a result of the shortening lease. The nearer the lease gets to its expiry date, the more it reduces the value of the premises. For most purchasers and banks, leases with under 75 years become less and less marketable. On a more upbeat note, leaseholders can extend their leases by serving a Section 42 Notice. One stipulation is that they must have owned the property for two years (unlike a Section 13 notice for purchasing the freehold, when leaseholders can participate from day one of ownership). When successful, they will have the right to an extension of 90 years to the current term and ground rent is effectively reduced to zero. Before moving forward with a purchase of a residence with a short lease term remaining you should talk to a solicitor specialising in lease extensions and leasehold enfranchisement. We are are happy to put you in touch with Rickmansworth conveyancing experts who will explain the options available to you during an initial telephone conversation free of charge. A more straightforward and quicker method of extending would be to contact your landlord directly and sound him out on the prospect of extending the lease. You may find he or she is happy to negotiate informally and willing to consider your offer straight off, without having to involve anyone else. This will save you time and money and it could help you reach a lower price on the lease. You need to ensure that any new terms represent good long-term value compared with the standard benefits of the Section 42 Notice and that onerous clauses are not inserted into any redrafting of the lease.

I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord to extend my lease without success. Can one apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Rickmansworth conveyancing firm to help?

Where there is a absentee landlord or where there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to judgment on the premium.

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Rickmansworth residence is Flats 8, 11 and 15 Craigmore Court 46 Murray Road in December 2013. The tribunal held that the price payable by the Applicant tenant of Flat 8 to acquire an extended lease shall be £26,438 plus £1 to the intermediate lessee . The tribunal held that the price payable by the Applicant tenants of Flat 11 to acquire an extended lease shall be £26,791 plus £1 to the intermediate lessee. The tribunal held that the price payable by the Applicant tenant of Flat 15 to acquire an extended lease shall be £26,638 plus £1 to the intermediate lessee . This case was in relation to 3 flats. The remaining number of years on the lease was 71 years.