Should our lawyer be making enquiries regarding flooding during the conveyancing in Colnbrook.

Flooding is a growing risk for solicitors specialising in conveyancing in Colnbrook. Some people will purchase a property in Colnbrook, fully expectant that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, leaving to one side the physical destruction, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, satisfactory insurance cover, or sell the property. Steps can be carried out as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the buyer.

Conveyancers are not qualified to offer advice on flood risk, however there are a number of checks that may be undertaken by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which will give them a better understanding of the risks in Colnbrook. The standard property information forms given to a buyer’s solicitor (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) incorporates a standard inquiry of the owner to find out if the premises has ever been flooded. If the premises has been flooded in past and is not revealed by the seller, then a buyer may issue a legal claim for losses stemming from an misleading reply. The buyer’s lawyers should also commission an enviro search. This will reveal if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, additional inquiries should be conducted.

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

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Colnbrook. 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 Colnbrook differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Colnbrook contact us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is finished. This is because builders in Colnbrook typically acquire the land, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 used to new build conveyancing in Colnbrook or who has acted in the same development.

I am looking for a flat up to £195,000 and found one round the corner in Colnbrook I like with a park and transport links in the vicinity, however it's only got 61 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Colnbrook suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a short lease?

Should you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term may be an issue. Reduce the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for at least twenty four months you can ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.

Should I instruct a Colnbrook conveyancing practitioner in close proximity to the house I am purchasing? We have a good friend who can carry out the legal work however her office is 300kilometers away.

The primary upside of using a local Colnbrook conveyancing firm is that you can pop in to execute documents, hand in your identification documents and apply pressure on them where appropriate. Having local Colnbrook know how is a benefit. That being said it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If other friends have used your friend and they were content that should trump using an unknown Colnbrook conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being based in the area.