It is a dozen years since I bought my property in Woodford. Conveyancing solicitors have now been appointed on the sale but I am unable to locate the title deeds. Is this a problem?
You need not be too concerned. Firstly the deeds may be kept by the mortgage company or they may be in the possession of the lawyers who handled the purchase. Secondly in most cases the title will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing solicitors procuring up to date copy of the land registers. Nearly all conveyancing in Woodford relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your property is unregistered it adds to the complexity but is resolvable.
I am in the process of mortgaging my flat in Woodford, does my lawyer need to be on the Nottingham Conveyancing panel?
In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the Nottingham conveyancing panel, but Nottingham would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.
How does conveyancing in Woodford differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Woodford come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because builders in Woodford tend to buy 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 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Woodford or who has acted in the same development.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on a fortnight ago in what should have been a quick, chain free conveyancing. Woodford is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?
Flying freeholds in Woodford are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Woodford you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Woodford may decide 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 residence.
We are 17 days into a leasehold purchase having been directed to a firm by the local agent to handle our conveyancing in Woodford. I am not happy. Can you you assist me in finding new lawyers?
They would have to be very poor in order to consider replacing them. Has your loan offer been generated? In the event that it has you need to make them aware of the new conveyancer and get the offer are re-sent. Your solicitor ideally needs to be on the banks approved list to avoid escalating expenses and frustration. That should be your first question of the new conveyancers. The find a solicitor tool will help you find a lender approved conveyancer for your conveyancing in Woodford