My best friend’s uncle is a property lawyer. I expect that I'll be able to get preferential rates for conveyancing, However if that does not come through, what level of fees should I be paying for conveyancing in East Dean?
You should compare pricing. Do use our search tool on this page. Whilst fees do contrast greatly but service levels do are distinct between conveyancers as is true with the vast majority of professional services.
We see that you have a post code search directory listing law firms on the Santander conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a commission if I instruct them for our own conveyancing in East Dean?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Santander conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in East Dean.
What happens if my solicitor is removed from the UBS Conveyancing panel ahead of completing my conveyancing in East Dean?
First, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have to instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by a regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.
I am the sole recipient of my late grandmother’s will and I have everything in my name now, including the house in East Dean. The East Dean property was put into my name in December. I plan to dispose of the house. I do know about the CML six month 'rule', meaning my property ownership could be regarded the same way as though I had purchased the property in December. Do I have to wait half a year to sell?
The CML handbook instructs solicitors to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." Technically you might be affected by that. How sensible a view banks take of it, depend on the lender as this clause principally exists to pick up on subsales or the quick reselling of properties.
I have today made my last payment due on my mortgage with Santander. I assume I don't need a East Dean conveyancer on the Santander panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
If you have finished paying off your Santander mortgage, they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Santander mortgage from the register. Santander, and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
- but are not moving to another property
- where Santander has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
- Santander has instructed the Land Registry to do so
Completion of my purchase has taken place for my property in East Dean. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I would like to complain about the lender. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
Most banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Department at head office. We understand that complaints to a lender are sorted out effectively and efficiently. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service with full details of your complaint.
Should I instruct a East Dean conveyancing lawyer who is local to the property I am hoping to buy? An old friend can execute the legal formalities but his firm is located 300miles away.
The benefit of a local East Dean conveyancing practice is that you can drop in to execute paperwork, present your ID and pester them if necessary. Having local East Dean know how is a plus. However it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If you know people who used your friend and in the main were happy that should trump using an unfamiliar East Dean conveyancing solicitor solely due to them being based in the area.