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.
I had an attached garage converted in approximately 2004 for use as a dining/storage/spare room. I was told by the builder I didnt need planning permission or building regs as it was an existing building. I double checked with the local council who also advised me it wasnt necessary either. I have received a letter from my local planning and building regulations dept completely out of the blue saying they have received a report of my conversion and that I need to apply for building regulations permission.I suspect this has come from a malicious next door neighbour. My question is it resonable to be asked to do this now after such a long time and particularly as I was told by the planning dept that I didnt need to apply for any approval
Hello,
If the planning department told you that you didn't need consent then a) they were correct; but b) that isn't relevant to building regulations.
There is no time limit for the local authority to obtain an injunction to stop you using the converted garage. They do have to satisfy a court that it is reasonable however and this power to apply for an injunction is rarely, if ever, used. Speak to the council and explain what was done and when and ask them to confirm in writing why they consider it to be in the public interest to force you to apply for retrospective approval. If they insist though then you should probably comply
Thank you so much for your reply it was very helpful.
I am concerned as to why I have received this notice do you know if it would have been received in this manner if it was as a result of a search on the property as my house is in the process of being sold. If that was the case I thought that the notice would have come via a solicitor. My suspicions are that it is the action of a very vindictive neighbour which is why I am moving house. I would appreciate your thoughts on this.
It's quite possible that yours or your buyer's solicitor has contacted the council to query whether approval was obtained and this has triggered the council to contact you. Ask your solicitor, he/she will be able to tell you, possibly after making some enquiries
Thank you once again it has been very reassuring as its difficult when things happen over a weekend to contact the solicitor. Thank you