Whether you're a layman looking to understand your own transaction or a lawyer needing assistance with a client's conveyancing our step by step sale and purchase guides will lead you through the process while our mini guides will break the whole thing into manageable chunks and give a deep insight into the key issues and stages. Leasehold, freehold, unregistered, registered – we've got it all covered.
Need help with a remortgage or transfer of equity / deed of gift? Our guides will walk you through the process and highlight some of the common pitfalls. Mortgages and transfers can be very simple procedures but complex issues can sometimes arise and mistakes are easily made. These guides will help you deal with them.
So you want to have a go at your own conveyancing? First you should read about the risks, then if you're still happy to proceed, our guides will take you through each stage of the process telling you what to look out for and helping you avoid falling into expensive traps. Our subscription service will give you access to all of the documents you should need for your conveyancing and we can even supply you with the Land Registry Official Copies you'll need. Our general guides will cover all the obstacles you are likely to face and offer a practical solution. Have a look at our sale and purchase guides too.
A big part of the conveyancing process is the conveyancing searches. This section tells you all about them. What they are, how and when to order them and how to interpret the results. Each search has its own guide and you'll see they are separated into Standard (should be done in every case), Regional (area specific) and Optional (not essential but often useful tools for the would be purchaser). All buyers should beware that when you buy a property, the law assumes that you have seen the information that would have been revealed by searches whether or not you have actually carried them out, so you buy the property subject to the results.
Using a conveyancer to handle your conveyancing will greatly reduce the risk to you and sometimes, particularly if you are taking out a new mortgage, you will have no choice but to instruct a conveyancer. The good news is it doesn't have to break the bank. Get a free, instant quote here. We can also help with quick easy quotes for other moving related services.
Are you looking for the documents you'll need for your conveyancing transaction? Or official copies of the title or other documents from Land Registry. We can help you. Follow the links below.
Hello,
We are in the process of buying a house which is a leasehold. Everything was going to plan until it came to light that the freeholder, a limited management company, had dissolved in 2006 and didn't release the freehold. Therefore, it has become bona vacantia. Our solicitor has said that this means our mortgage would be declined now on this basis. However, our vendor is telling us that an indemnity policy would solve this issue. In return our solicitor is saying this would only cover 'absent landlords' rather than a dissolved company. Who is correct? And is there an insurance policy which can resolve this matter?
Any help greatly appreciated!
David
Hi,
A lot depends on what the freeholder is obliged to do under the terms of the lease. Generally where the property is a house rather than a flat the landlord only collects rent and does not manage the property (i.e. you are responsible for insuring and maintaining the building). If that's the case then "Absent/Insolvent Landlord" policy should be acceptable. The term of the lease is a factor as well. Many houses which are leasehold will be let on 999 year or 250 year leases. If this is the case here then there are n concerns about what will happen when the lease needs to be extended because the lease only really needs to be extended when you get down to about 70 - 75 years left. Even if that point is fairly close though there are statutory provisions allowing you purchase the freehold where the landlord is unable or unwilling to respond. You should keep in mind of course that your lawyer is in full possession of the facts whereas I am not, and your lawyer is the one you are paying to advise you, so you should think seriously before considering going against that advice.
Hi David. i just came across your post and we are now in a similar position. i was wondering whether you managed to find a solution to this problem.
Regards
Nina