If you are buying or selling a property then, unless you are planning to do your own conveyancing, you’ll need to instruct a conveyancer (i.e. a solicitor or licensed conveyancer) to represent you. So with thousands of law firms out there to choose from, how do you go about getting a conveyancing quote? First you need to decide what you’re looking for. Do you want a local firm, whose offices you can visit, or would you rather do everything by phone, post and email?
Process of Getting a Conveyancing Quote
October 24th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Land Registry, Legal, Property Conveyancing 2 Comments »
Acquiring the Freehold of a Leasehold House
October 13th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Land Registry, Landlords, Legal Comments Off on Acquiring the Freehold of a Leasehold House
Most houses in England and Wales are freehold. This means that the owner has a right to remain on the land and in the house in perpetuity (forever) or until he sells or transfers it, at which point the new owner takes over the right. Although technically the land (and therefore the house) actually belongs to the Crown, for all practical purposes it is owned by the home owner. There are some houses however that rather than being freehold are let on long leases. These are known as leasehold houses.
High Street Solicitor or Specialist Conveyancer?
October 5th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Land Registry, Property Conveyancing 2 Comments »
When you are looking for a lawyer to carry out your conveyancing you basically have two options. You can either choose a traditional high street solicitor’s firm or a specialist conveyancing company. There are advantages and disadvantages to both and which you choose should depend on a number of factors such as cost, your personal circumstances and perhaps how quickly you need the transaction to proceed.
What You Need to Know About Conveyancing Contracts
September 27th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Land Registry, Legal, Property Conveyancing 2 Comments »
The conveyancing contract (sometimes referred to as the agreement) is a document which contains all of the terms and conditions to which a conveyancing transaction is subject. Once contracts are exchanged those terms become legally binding on all parties.
Estate Agents and the Conveyancing Process
August 30th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Estate Agents, Property Conveyancing 5 Comments »
Estate agents have a notoriously bad reputation and unfortunately, it is sometimes with good reason! Nonetheless, like most professions, the majority are decent and honest. Finding a good estate agent can be a real asset when it comes to selling your property, not just in terms of finding a buyer but in helping to ensure that the matter proceeds to completion.
Commonhold Property Ownership Explained
August 11th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Land Registry, Property Conveyancing, Property Market 1 Comment »
Commonhold is a new type of property ownership. It was created by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (CLRA 2002) as a possible alternative to leasehold title. The CLRA 2002, together with the Commonhold Regulations 2004, came into force on 27 September 2004.
What is the meaning of Flying Freehold?
August 3rd, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Land Registry, Property Conveyancing Comments Off on What is the meaning of Flying Freehold?
Some of the terminology used in conveyancing can be confusing and difficult to interpret. Conveyancers sometimes get so used to the legal jargon that they will use it when speaking to clients, forgetting that they cannot be expected to understand.
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Checking if a Property is at Risk from Flooding
July 20th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Insurance, Property Conveyancing 3 Comments »
Flooding is now a major problem for many parts of the UK, and as our climate changes, the problem is growing. As well as putting lives in danger, a flood can destroy homes and property in no time at all. If a property is found to be in an area at risk from flooding this can have a seriously negative effect on its value and increase insurance premiums.
What Can I Do About My Neighbour’s Nuisance Tree?
June 29th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Land Registry, Legal, Local Authority Searches 2 Comments »
Trees can be wonderful though they can also be a terrible nuisance in gardens, particularly small gardens and particularly if they are allowed to grow too large. If your enjoyment of your property is adversely affected by a tree belonging to a neighbour, is there anything you can do?
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Protecting a Right to a View
June 21st, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Legal, Property Conveyancing 1 Comment »
In English law there is no such thing as a legal right to a view. This was established in Aldred’s Case 1610, which showed that to qualify as an easement a right must be “sufficiently definite”, whereas a right to view is far too general in terms of the land which bears the burden.
Changes to Adoption of Private Drains and Sewers
June 14th, 2011 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Local Authority Searches, Property Conveyancing Comments Off on Changes to Adoption of Private Drains and Sewers
There is some mixed news for home owners this week. New regulations, made under powers granted by the Water Act 2003, are being considered by Parliament which if approved will mean that any stretches of private sewer or drain which are shared with another property will be automatically adopted by the relevant water authority for the area.