 |
home improvement |
|
conveyancing |
|---|---|
|
national tool hire |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will I have to visit the Solicitor’s Office?
No not these days. The Solicitor will send you copies of various documents including the Property Information Form, Fittings and Contents Forms, along with a Land Registry plan showing the boundaries of the Property. They will send you a comprehensive Property Report with the Contract and other documents which you have to sign. The report will highlight various matters and explain what happens.
2. Some Solicitors offer to send me messages by text, do www.convey2day.com?
No, in our opinion this is no more than a gimmick and from our experience does not serve any useful purpose. If your Solicitor is not prepared to speak to you when Contracts are exchanged or completion has happened then you must question what kind of service you are receiving. We would only consider texting as a last resort to contact you.
3. Do I have to complete on a Friday?
No, again some Solicitors give that impression. Completion can take place any working day. If a Solicitor says they can only complete on Fridays, they are not telling the truth – this has become the norm, because we have accepted it – everyday is the same. A Completion can take place on any week day you require.
4. Do I have to pay any money at the beginning of these service?
You will be required to pay your Solicitor the sum of £50.00 in respect of a Sale and £150.00 in respect of a Purchase to cover the Search Fees. These payments are to be paid at the outset of the Agreement and these payments will be deducted from your final account.
5. If I am due any monies how and when do I receive them?
There is no reason why you should not receive excess funds into a Bank Account of your choice on the day of Completion. You may have to pay a Bank Transfer fee for this but it does guarantee that you will have cleared funds in your account, which may mean that you earn interest on your monies rather than your Solicitor.
6. What are Searches and do I have to have them?
There are various kinds of searches and you only need to apply for these if you are Purchasing a Property. Part of the Conveyancing procedure carried out by your Solicitor involves applying for any searches on your behalf. These can include:
a. Local Search - this is a standard set of enquires which finds out about the Planning history of a property and asks further information about the nearby roads and whether the property is say for example in a Conservation area. Extra Questions can be asked about footpaths and pipelines which may cross through or near to the property.
b. Drainage Search- which again is a standard set of enquiries asking about the status of the drains and sewers that connect to the property. Questions are also asked about the water supply to the Property and whether there are any private drains which may cross through the property.
c. Environmental Search - this is usually an optional search but most Solicitors would encourage you to have this done. It provides a ground history of the site in which your property was built upon and includes previous uses of the land. The search also details any contamination issues and whether they are within close proximity to the property and highlights any hazards, water courses or flood areas. Well worth the £50.00 they normally cost!
d. Coal Mining Report - if the Property is in what was or still is an active Coal Mining area, such a search will check out for past mining subsidence and also if there are any old mine adits or shafts which are within or close to the boundary of the Property. These can affect the Buildings Insurance cover and need to be checked out.
e. There are other specific searches which can be applied for. For example, Chancel Checks, Ground Stability Checks, Cheshire Brine, Neighbourhood Searches, Commons Registration Searches and much more. This is where an experienced Solicitor can spot what is needed and advise you accordingly. Our Solicitors will advise you correctly and will not suggest any unnecessary, costly and useless searches.
7. Will my Solicitor do a Survey on the house I am purchasing or selling?
No this is something you have to arrange. If you are having a mortgage your Lender will usually carry out a Valuation. This is not the same as a Survey and is not an in depth survey of the property. Again depending on the type and age of the Property your Solicitor should be able to advise you on which Survey you require.
8. Will my Solicitor visit the Property?
No. They will send you a copy of the Land Registry plan showing the boundaries of the Property and it is up to you to check that this is correct and that there is no further land which you believe forms part of the property and which falls outside the boundary marked on the plan. This is not a service that all Conveyancing Solicitors will offer so remember to check this out with them first!
