I am helping my aunt sell her house in Chelmsford. Will the solicitor arrange the EPC or it is for the seller to coordinate?

Following the abolition of Home Packs, energy performance certificates remained a compulsory element of selling a house. An EPC must be to hand in advance of the property being placed on the market. It is not something that law firms normally organise. If you are instructing a Chelmsford conveyancing practitioner they may be able to arrange energy performance certificates due to their contacts with reputable local energy assessors

I am selling my house. I had a double glazing fitted in February 2008, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s mortgage company, are being pedantic. The Chelmsford solicitor who is on the conveyancing panel is saying indemnity insurance will be fine but are insisting on a building regulation certificate. Why do have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?

It is probably the case that have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing was correctly and safely installed. The indemnity insurance merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.

Intending to buy a maisonette in Chelmsford. I have received an online quote from a licenced conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.

They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that the Chelmsford is on the conveyancing panel.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Chelmsford?

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Chelmsford. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

How does conveyancing in Chelmsford differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Chelmsford contact us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because builders in Chelmsford usually acquire the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Chelmsford or who has acted in the same development.

Chelmsford Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Queries before buying

What is the annual maintenance fee and ground rent? Be sure to discover if the the lease includes any adverse restrictions in the lease. By way of example some leases prohibit pets being permitted in in a block in Chelmsford. If you love the apartmentin Chelmsford however your cat can’t make the move with you then you will be presented with a difficult choice. For most Chelmsford leaseholds the cost for major works tend not to be incorporated into the service charges, although there some managing agents in Chelmsford require leasehold owners to pay into a reserve fund and this is used to offset against larger works.

How easy is it to change a solicitor as I need to find a Chelmsford based firm who is on the lender conveyancing panel. Is it practical to instruct different lawyers?

In the event that you have not formally appointed a solicitor to do anything for you and at this stage simply received an estimate as to costs, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer in Chelmsford that you're considering.