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

Hersham conveyancing solicitors as well as nationwide property lawyers throughout the UK have an obligation under Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules to verify the ID of any client in order to ensure that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients are required to supply two forms of certified identification; proof of identity (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and proof of address (typically a Bank Statement less than 3 months old).

Evidence of source of funds is also necessary in accordance with the money laundering statutes as lawyers are mandated to investigate that the funds you are utilising to buy a property (be it the exchange deposit or the full purchase monies where you are buying without a mortgage) has come from legitimate source (such as employment savings) rather than the fruits of criminal activity.

We're in Hersham, First timers buying with a mortgage (lender is Santander , and our lawyer is on the Santander conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the Santander conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancing practitioner should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

Should commercial conveyancing searches disclose impending roadworks that could impact a commercial property in Hersham?

Many commercial conveyancing solicitors in Hersham will execute a SiteSolutions Highways report as it dramatically cuts the time that conveyancers spend in looking into accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Hersham. The report sets out definitive data on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Hersham.

For each commercial conveyancing transaction in Hersham it is crucial to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. The absence of identifying developments where adoption procedures have not been addressed adequately may result in delays to Hersham commercial conveyancing deals as well as present a risk to future plans for the site. These searches are not conducted for domestic conveyancing in Hersham.

My wife and I purchased a 4 bedroom Edwardian house in Hersham. Conveyancing lawyer represented me and Barclays . I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw two entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold under the exact same address. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??

You need to 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 Hersham and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also enquire as to the position with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the purchase.

I am purchasing my first flat in Hersham with the aid of help to buy. The developers would not move on the amount so I negotiated £7000 of extras instead. The estate agent told me not inform my solicitor about this side-deal as it will jeopardize my mortgage with the lender. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.