Some advice if I may. My St Albans solicitor is informing me me that he has toorder St Albans conveyancing searches asthe firm are on the Nat Westapproved lawyer panel. Is my solicitor correct?
You have limited options available to you. Given that you are taking out a loan with a lender your solicitor has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of your lender’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook specifications . Even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out St Albans conveyancing searches.
It is 10 years ago since I acquired my home in St Albans. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been instructed on the sale but I am unable to track down the title deeds. Will this jeopardise the sale?
Don’t worry too much. First there is a possibility that the deeds will be kept by the lender or they could still be with the solicitor who acted in the purchase. Secondly in most cases the property will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing solicitors acquiring up to date copy of the land registers. Nearly all conveyancing in St Albans involves registered property but in the rare situation where your property is not registered it is more problematic but is not insurmountable.
Our mortgage company has recommended a law firm on their panel based in St Albans but I would rather use a conveyancing lawyer in St Albans or nearer to where I live. Are you able to help?
The minority of St Albans conveyancing practitioners are listed all banks conveyancing panel. Please make use of our find an approved solicitor tool to identify a St Albans conveyancing firm on the on the lender panel.
How does conveyancing in St Albans differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in St Albans approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is finished. This is because house builders in St Albans tend to acquire the land, 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 used to new build conveyancing in St Albans or who has acted in the same development.
I'm remortgaging my current home to a buy to let loan with Bank of Scotland and I will use the rest of the raised equity as a down payment on another house. The neighborhood we are interested in is St Albans. Will your lawyers be able to act for both sets of banks and link together the conveyances?
Make use of our search tool on this page to be sure that the conveyancers are approved by both banks. Having checked that they are the lawyer will be able to tie up the two transactions but you should have a chat with you conveyancer and specify your desired outcome and requirements.