Is it the case that all Horsham solicitor practices on the conveyancing panel are overseen by the SRA?

As solicitors, in order to be on the approved list of solicitors they would need to be governed by the SRA. The majority of lenders do permit licenced conveyancers on their panel and in such a situation the firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

I was told two weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by . Is it usual for to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Horsham is approved on their conveyancing panel? have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their PI Insurance.

Mortgage companies tend not to not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

Having digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Horsham solicitor - who is on the conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?

will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Horsham surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.

Should my conveyancer be asking questions concerning flooding as part of the conveyancing in Horsham.

Flooding is a growing risk for lawyers dealing with homes in Horsham. There are those who acquire a property in Horsham, fully expectant that at some time, it may be flooded. However, leaving to one side the physical destruction, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, adequate insurance cover, or sell the premises. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a house purchase to forewarn the buyer.

Conveyancers are not qualified to impart advice on flood risk, however there are a number of checks that can be initiated by the purchaser or on a buyer’s behalf which can give them a better appreciation of the risks in Horsham. The standard information supplied to a buyer’s conveyancer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) contains a standard inquiry of the owner to find out whether the property has suffered from flooding. If the property has been flooded in past and is not disclosed by the seller, then a purchaser may issue a compensation claim as a result of such an misleading response. A buyer’s conveyancers may also carry out an environmental report. This should reveal if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, more detailed inquiries will need to be initiated.

I am buying a new build flat in Horsham. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build conveyancing.

Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Horsham

Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided.

Back In 2000, I bought a leasehold house in Horsham. Conveyancing and mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing practitioner in Horsham who previously acted has long since retired. What should I do?

First make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. It is not necessary to incur the fees of a Horsham conveyancing solicitor to do this as it can be done on-line for a few pound. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I bought a split level flat in Horsham, conveyancing formalities finalised 1995. Can you let me have an estimated range of the fair premium for a lease extension? Similar flats in Horsham with a long lease are worth £165,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £45 invoiced annually. The lease runs out on 21st October 50

With just 50 years unexpired the likely cost is going to range between £36,100 and £41,800 as well as professional fees.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs in the absence of comprehensive due diligence. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional issues that need to be taken into account and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not take any other action placing reliance on this information before getting professional advice.

Is there a reason that Horsham conveyancing costs are more expensive for leasehold and freehold properties?

Leasehold conveyancing in Horsham will often involve additional due diligence such as reviewing the lease, liaising with the freeholder, obtaining up to date rent receipts, landlord’s consents, management company’s accounts etc.