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.
An interesting question.
I bought a flat in 2014. The original leaseholder had not paid ground rent since the development was built, because the freeholder never demanded payment, so there was no debt. Freehold was sold to a new company. They demanded from me the historic GR that had not previously been charged to the original leaseholder. Housing Act Section 17 states that current leaseholder is not liable for charges incurred by previous leaseholder. It also states that freeholder can only make demands for payment for charges incurred after the freeholder's assignment. I paid the invoice for historic GR, without admitting liability. I am now requesting return of that GR. I have read quite extensively, but can find no interpretation that states I am liable for historic GR before my purchase, when that GR was not demanded of the original leaseholder.
Can you please tell me if, with refs, I am actually liable for that non existant debt. Thanks...
Check your lease.
If someone does not demand payment, that does not mean there is no debt. Imagine if you had an AST (short tenancy) at £500pm and you did not send the rent for a couple of months and were delighted that your landlord did not realise and demand the rent from you. After 3 months, the landlord demands the rent - there is still a debt owed, despite the non-demand prior. There is a limit to how far back it can go though - 6 years I believe.
I appreciate this is with hindsight, but I would have suggested on your purchase that you obtain an indemnity from the outgoing tenant for unpaid historic ground rent, service charges, insurance premium, etc. I would suggest you take advice from a property litigation solicitor or landlord & tenant solicitor as to your liability for these historic arrears.
www.notaryexpress.co.uk
Thank you for your reply.