A colleague pointed out to me me that in buying a property in Rishton there could be a number of restrictions prohibiting external changes to a property. Is this right?

There are a number of properties in Rishton which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to carry out external changes. Part of the conveyancing in Rishton should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

Does a directory service exist listing Nationwide panel conveyancers in Rishton on the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Website?

Unfortunately not yet. There is no such tool on the CML or Building Society Association websites. Very few mortgage companies make their panel listings visible on the web. Where you are looking for a Rishton conveyancing practitioner on the Nationwide please use our facility.

My husband and I have organised the release of further funds on our mortgage from Nationwide as we want to carry out improvements to our home in Rishton. Are we obliged to appoint a high street Rishton solicitor on the Nationwide conveyancing panel to handle the legals?

Nationwide would not normally instruct firms on their conveyancing panel to deal with the formalities. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Nationwide conveyancing panel.

How does conveyancing in Rishton differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Rishton contact us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is ready to move into. This is because house builders in Rishton usually acquire 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 property lawyers 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 used to new build conveyancing in Rishton or who has acted in the same development.

I opted to have a survey done on a house in Rishton prior to instructing conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. My surveyor advised that some mortgage companies tend not give a loan on such a home.

It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different requirements from Nationwide. If you contact us we can investigate further via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Rishton. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Rishton especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Rishton.

As co-executor for the will of my aunt I am disposing of a property in Cardiff but live in Rishton. My conveyancer (approximately 260 kilometers awayneeds me to sign a stat dec ahead of the transaction finalising. Could you suggest a conveyancing solicitor in Rishton to attest this legal document for me?

Technically speaking you are unlikely to be required to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily or notary public or solicitor will do regardless of whether they are Rishton based

Last August I purchased a leasehold property in Rishton. Am I liable to pay service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, 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 ensure 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).

Rishton Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Queries before Purchasing

How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments? The best form of lease arrangement is if the freehold title is in the ownership of the leaseholders. In this situation the lessees enjoy being in charge if their destiny and notwithstanding that a managing agent is usually retained where it is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent retained by the leaseholders. What is the service charge and ground rent on the property?