I am assisting my step-mother sell her house in Southfields. Does the solicitor commission an energy performance certificate or should I organise this?

After the abolition of Home Information Packs, energy assessments was kept a mandatory element of selling a property. An energy performance certificate should be commissioned prior to the property being placed on the market. It is not a task that law firms normally organise. If you are instructing a Southfields conveyancing lawyer they might be able to arrange EPC’s given their relationships with reputable Southfields providers

We are purchasing a end of terrace house in Southfields. Our aim is to convert the garage to an office at the property.Will the conveyancing process include investigations to ascertain if these works are allowed?

Your property lawyer should check the registered title as conveyancing in Southfields can occasionally reveal restrictions in the title documents which prevent categories of works or require the permission of another owner. Some extensions require local authority planning permissions and approval under the building regulations. Many areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or impact extensions. It would be prudent to check these things with a surveyor before you commit yourself to a purchase.

Is it the case that all Southfields solicitors on the conveyancing panel are overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?

As solicitors, in order to be on the approved list of solicitors they would need to be regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. The majority of mortgage companies do permit licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be governed by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

How does conveyancing in Southfields differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Southfields approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is completed. This is because new home sellers in Southfields usually 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 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 used to new build conveyancing in Southfields or who has acted in the same development.

I am looking for a flat up to £195,000 and identified one close by in Southfields I like with open areas and transport links nearby, however it only has 49 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Southfields suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?

Should you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be an issue. Reduce the price by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the property for a minimum of 2 years you may ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer concerning this.

Southfields Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should consider Prior to buying

How long is the Lease? How is the lease structured? You should want to discover as much as you can about the company managing the building as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. As the proprietor of a leasehold property you are frequently in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to daily issues like the upkeep of the communal areas. Ask prospective neighbours if they are happy with them. On a final note, be sure you understand the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the managing agents and specifically what you get for your money.

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to be perfect, at a reasonable figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have since been informed that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Southfields. Conveyancing solicitors have are about to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Southfields are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Southfields so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Southfields conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they have experience in dealing with leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the landlord’spermission to conduct alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your solicitor should advise you fully on all the issues.