What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Chipstead? What am I being asked for?

Chipstead conveyancing solicitors as well as nationwide property lawyers accross the UK have an obligation under money laundering regulations to check the identity of any client in order to satisfy themselves that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients will need to provide two forms of certified ID; proof of ID (usually a Passport or Driving Licence) and proof of address (typically a Utility Bill less than 3 months old).

Evidence of source of monies is also necessary in accordance with the money laundering statutes as conveyancers are required to ensure that the monies you are utilising to buy a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the total purchase amount if you are buying without a mortgage) has originated from a reputable source (such as employment savings) as opposed to the fruits of criminal activity.

Do the Building Society Association intend to launch a searchable register to to identify practices on the conveyancing panel for instance in Chipstead?

We have not been informed any plans on the part of the BSA to promote such a register.

Should commercial conveyancing searches reveal planned roadworks that could impact a commercial site in Chipstead?

Its becoming the norm that commercial conveyancing solicitors in Chipstead will order a SiteSolutions Highways report as it dramatically cuts the time that conveyancers expend in sourcing accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Chipstead. The search result sets out definitive information on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Chipstead.

For each commercial conveyancing transaction in Chipstead it is crucial to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. The absence of identifying developments where adoption procedures have not been dealt with adequately could cause delays to Chipstead commercial conveyancing transactions as well as present a risk to future plans for the site. These searches are not carried out for residential conveyancing in Chipstead.

My wife and I have a terraced Georgian house in Chipstead. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and . I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold with the matching address. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??

You should assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Chipstead and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also question the situation with your conveyancing lawyer who completed the work.

I have been recommended by a couple of local estate agents in Chipstead to find a property lawyer using your seach tool. Is there a financial incentive for Estate Agents to offer your site over another?

We refuse to give any financial incentive for pointing buyers and sellers in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission as a client could think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.