Take advantage of local knowledge and professional advice when you're on the move or investing in property…
Professional independent advice
Searches
Selling
Buying
Buying and selling in a chain
Buy to let
Remortgage & transfer of equity
Landlord and tenant
Professionsal independent advice
The above expresses our approach to residential conveyancing. We do not buy or sell clients by paying referral fees to estate agents or any other third parties. We don't sell our clients insurance or any other products and will always provide advice in their best interests throughout the conveyancing process. All work is undertaken by solicitors not para legals or unqualified conveyancers.
A Local Authority and Drainage Search will provide information about roads, planning permissions, building regulations, drains, sewers and water connections relating to the property in which you're interested. In some cases we may advise carrying out an Environmental Search if there are concerns about landfill, contaminated land or any other issues affecting the property. Further searches may also be required if the property is within a recognised mining area. If a property is close to a medieval church there is a possible liability for maintenance of the knave of the church resting with the owners! While this is unusual it does show the importance of a rigorous search before signing the contract.
When you decide to sell we can prepare a Contract, which includes full details of the seller, buyer, property and its title, agreed price and any other relevant information. Neither seller nor buyer are legally bound until exchange of contracts when a completion date is agreed. We will deal with paying off your mortgage and settling your estate agent's bill leaving you free to get on with the important task of packing and preparing to move.
Once you have agreed to buy a property we commission searches and examine the contract carefully, raising questions where necessary. At the same time we will be waiting for your Mortgage Offer and when all the information is available and questions have been satisfactorily dealt with, we will advise you to sign the Contract. You are not legally bound until that time and you may still change your mind. Once we exchange Contracts you are legally bound to buy the property on the completion date. We will also prepare a Transfer document to transfer the title into your name and arrange registration of the title at the Land Registry.
Life would be simpler if there was only one seller and one buyer. Unfortunately, there are often several in a chain and one buyer may be ready to exchange contracts much sooner than the others. This can be quite frustrating since all the buyers and sellers in the chain have to be ready to exchange contracts on the same day and complete on a later agreed date. With a wealth of experience helping both buyers and sellers we'll make sure things run as smoothly as possible.
Many savers have decided to invest in property for a more beneficial rate of return. Our solicitors can advise you on the transaction process and prepare an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. This ensures that if you encounter difficulties with your Tenant you can start proceedings for possession after a period of six months. With an extensive knowledge of safety regulations relating to appliances and soft furnishings, you can rely on us to guide you through your responsibilities and help you to protect your investment.
Remortgage and transfer of equity
You may find that you can get a better mortgage deal with another provider when, for instance, a fixed rate product comes to the end of its term. Or if you own the property jointly, one of you may decide to buy the outgoing partner's interest. Whatever your reasons we can assist with all the paperwork for a straightforward and easy transaction.
For Landlords an Assured Shorthold Tenancy sets out what responsibilities Tenants will have for rent, services and any obligations for repair and decoration.
As a Tenant you need to make sure a Tenancy Agreement only makes you liable for things you have agreed to be bound by and that there are no hidden obligations imposed by your Landlord. We can advise you on all these matters before you commit to signing a Tenancy Agreement for peace of mind before, during and after your tenancy.
For more help and impartial advice call us on Stafford 01785 603060 or Rugeley 01889 803080. Alternatively, email our Residential Property specialist at: property@pb4law.com.
