When you’re in the process of buying or selling a property, the last thing you’ll want to be confronted with is the unexpected. Prepare for any potential complications by learning about the six most common conveyancing issues in London, enabling you to have a plan put in place for avoiding them.
One: Trying To Go it Alone
It may be tempting to try and complete your house sale or purchase without bringing in a conveyancing service. However, this is an extremely risky move, and one which could seriously derail the process, as conveyancing requires a highly specialised set of skills and extensive knowledge. If you are looking for expert conveyancing in London, get in touch with a reputable firm such as Sam Conveyancing, to ensure that your purchase or sale goes as smoothly as possible.
Two: Not Being Quick Enough To Instruct A Solicitor
Even if you have realised that the wisest course of action is to employ an expert in conveyancing, it can still all go wrong if you don’t act quickly enough. Be sure to instruct your conveyancing solicitor as quickly as possible, but don’t simply settle for the first person you find online. Instead, check out reviews and recommendations to determine the best possible choice of conveyancing solicitor, and make sure that they are registered with the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority).
Three: Not Having The Paperwork Completed
Unfortunately, paperwork is one aspect of the property market that simply cannot be avoided. Therefore, it’s essential to stay on track with all of the forms that will inevitably come your way and get them signed and returned as soon as possible to prevent delays down the line. Be sure to have your ID ready too (such as a current passport, driving license or council tax bill), as this will also be required during the process. Find out what constitutes admissible ID here
Four: Not Checking On Planning Permission
If you are selling a property which has undergone improvements such as an extension, addition of a conservatory, or a loft conversion, you will need to be able to prove that the right planning permission was obtained. Find the documents proving this as soon as you can, so you can pass them on when required. Likewise, if you are buying a property which has had building work done, ask for proof that planning permission was granted.
Five: Loss Of Title Deeds
It can be a real setback if you can’t provide the title deeds of the home you plan to sell, or if there is no record of the property being registered with the Land Registry. Obtaining replacements can take a long time, potentially endangering your sale. By discovering whether this is an issue early on, you can avoid the wait for replacements causing delays to a sale.
Six: Problems With The Search
The search process is a vital step in the process of buying or selling a house, as it can give buyers peace of mind that the property they plan to purchase will not be hiding any nasty (or expensive) surprises. As a seller, you can speed up the search process by compiling all of the relevant safety certifications for gas, windows, and electrics, ready to pass on to the buyer’s team. And this is also the stage where having a capable conveyancing solicitor on your side can really help. If the search reveals previous issues that earlier searches on the property have missed, your current solicitor should be able to navigate a clear way forward to save the sale.