In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Chatteris? Why is this being asked of me?

You are right in the requirement set out by your solicitor has nothing to do with conveyancing in Chatteris. However these days you can not complete any conveyancing transaction if you have not supplying evidence of your identity. Ordinarily this takes the form of a either your passport or driving licence as well as a council tax bill. Remember if you are providing your driving licence as proof of ID it must be both the paper section and photo card part, one is not sufficient without the other.

Evidence of the source of monies is necessary under Money Laundering Regulations. Please do not be offended when you are asked to produce this as your conveyancing solicitor will need to have this information on record. Your Chatteris conveyancing practitioner will require evidence of proof of funds prior to accepting any monies from you into their client account and they may also ask further queries concerning the origin of monies.

Do I select a Licenced Conveyancer or Solicitor for conveyancing in Chatteris?

There are two types of lawyers who can do conveyancing in Chatteris namely licenced conveyancers or solicitors. Both professionals handle the legal services that you need to complete the disposal or acquisition of property. They are both duty bound to carry out Chatteris conveyancing on similar standards and guidelines so you may be sure that your conveyancing will be professionally administered and that the necessary procedures should be accurately followed.

I am helping my sister sell her flat in Chatteris. Does the conveyancer commission an energy performance certificate or do I organise this?

Following the demise of HIPs, EPC’s was retained a mandatory element of moving property. An energy performance certificate must be commissioned prior to the property being advertised. This is not something that solicitors normally arrange. If you are instructing a Chatteris conveyancing solicitor they might be able to arrange energy assessments given their relationships with long established Chatteris providers

I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Chatteris. I have a mortgage offer with Santander. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Santander, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Santander conveyancing panel.

I own a terraced Victorian property in Chatteris. Conveyancing lawyer represented me and Virgin Money. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the matching address. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??

You should assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Chatteris and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also question the situation with the conveyancing lawyer who completed the work.

How does conveyancing in Chatteris differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Chatteris come to us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because developers in Chatteris usually acquire the site, 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 Chatteris or who has acted in the same development.

In my capacity as executor for the will of my grandfather I am selling a residence in Swansea but reside in Chatteris. My lawyer (approximately 200 miles from merequires that I execute a stat dec before the transaction finalising. Can you recommend a conveyancing lawyer in Chatteris to attest and place their company stamp on the document?

Technically speaking you are not likely to need to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily any notary public or solicitor will do regardless of whether they are located in Chatteris