| Property transactions can take a surprisingly long time, | | | | be exasperated by the administrative processes of |
| which can be very frustrating for a buyer. This article | | | | some banks. |
| provides some simple tips on how to speed up the | | | | Complicating legal issues regarding the property can |
| purchasing process and how to cope with the delays. | | | | also cause delay. This is perhaps more common with |
| The delay in the purchaser getting hold of his survey | | | | unregistered property when it is only on detailed |
| report is a common course of initial delay - especially | | | | examination by an experienced property solicitor of |
| when they need a full structural survey. Such surveys | | | | title deeds that problems emerge. Such a problem may |
| are complex involving often a very full inspection of | | | | need to be corrected which can cause further delay. |
| the property and take some time to write and prepare. | | | | An example of this is a house which should have a |
| Matters are sometimes made worse if the buyer | | | | legal right of way over a neighbouring property but |
| decides not to instruct a solicitor until he has got a | | | | where the title deeds don't mention it - this will perhaps |
| satisfactory full structural survey - often rushed | | | | require the neighbour being approached to correct this |
| through to avoid further unnecessary legal fees. | | | | anomaly. |
| Searches on the property should not cause too much | | | | Other legal issues which can cause delay include the |
| delay - the average time to get the result of a local | | | | availability of both building regulation approval and |
| search is around 10 days but can be much faster. | | | | correct planning permission. Chasing up the correct |
| Searches are often first thing a property solicitor | | | | paperwork, however slow and irritating, is without |
| applies for. | | | | doubt a necessary part of a responsible solicitors |
| Often before the solicitor even starts to apply for | | | | work. |
| searches, they will need both to confirm the clients | | | | One simple tip to potentially speed up any property |
| identity and to receive back confirmation of terms of | | | | transaction is to make sure that there is regular |
| engagement - a requirement from the Government | | | | communication between solicitor and client. Most |
| and Solicitors Regulation Authority which the solicitor | | | | queries can be dealt with by email - try to make sure |
| needs to comply with before he can start working for | | | | that your solicitor uses email as their preferred method |
| his client. Ensuring that you provide your solicitor with | | | | of communication which will enable prompt replies to |
| proof of your identity - promptly returning a signed | | | | any queries you may have and visa versa. |
| client care letter should also make sure things get off | | | | Finally, in all property transactions you should make |
| to a good start. | | | | sure you appoint a specialist property lawyer opposed |
| Another factor which has been particularly problematic | | | | to a generic lawyer whom dabbles in many different |
| given the recent economic climate is the issue of the | | | | areas of law. |
| buyers mortgage offer. Banks have become much | | | | Large parts of any property transaction, whether |
| tighter about to whom and when they lend and it is far | | | | involving leasehold or freehold property, are relatively |
| from uncommon for mortgage offers to be withdrawn | | | | routine and specialist property solicitors, using dedicated |
| partway through the transaction - for reasons | | | | case management systems, is likely to be in the best |
| remarkable as the bank deciding that a particular | | | | position to complete any sale as soon as is reasonably |
| mortgage product should now be withdrawn. This can | | | | possible. |