What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Stockton Heath? What am I being asked for?

To satisfy the Money Laundering Regulations any Stockton Heath conveyancing firm will require evidence of your identity in all conveyancing transactions. This is usually dealt with by provision of a passport and an original bank statement or utility account evidencing where you live.

In accordance with Money Laundering Regulations, property lawyers are duty bound to investigate not simply the identity of conveyancing clients but also the origin of the money that they receive in respect of any matter. Refusal to disclose this will lead to your conveyancer terminating their relationship with you, as clearly this will cause a conflict between the set Regulations and a refusal to disclose.

Your conveyancers will have an obligation to inform the appropriate authorities should they consider that any amounts received by them may contravene the Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules.

My grandfather passed away 10 months ago and as sole heir and executor I was left the property in Stockton Heath. The house had a relatively small loan remaining of approximately £8000. I want to transfer the title deeds into my name whilst I re-mortgage to Clydesdale, pay off the mortgage. Is this possible?

If you plan to refinance then Clydesdale will require that you use a conveyancer on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your Clydesdale conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the Clydesdale mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Stockton Heath?

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Stockton Heath. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

How does conveyancing in Stockton Heath differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Stockton Heath contact us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is built. This is because builders in Stockton Heath typically 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 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 Stockton Heath or who has acted in the same development.

I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing solicitor in Stockton Heath for my house move. Is there any facility to see a solicitor's complaints history with the legal regulator?

One may find documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions arising from investigations commenced on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors record, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may monitor call for training reasons.