Our Patch AUTUMN 2017
Planning the next move
Conveyancer Luke Corby-Owen answers Jane Grove ’ s questions on important things to bear in mind when you are buying or leasing a property
A friend has recommended a solicitor ’ s firm to do conveyancing for me , but the company is miles away . Why should I consider choosing a local firm when the one based out of town is likely to be cheaper ? Your choice of solicitor must not only be based on price but also the level of service they offer , the convenience for you , and the solicitor ’ s experience . Although speaking to someone over the phone or corresponding via email can achieve a lot , they cannot replace face-to-face interaction .
How do you match your clients ’ expectations ? Our clients have the certainty that they will have one lawyer allocated to their file , who will oversee the entire matter . We provide them with regular updates and I prefer to meet them . Either they can come to our office in Kew , or I visit them at home or at work .
I operate on the basis that if I take the time to get to know my clients and understand what they want to achieve , we can get things done very quickly .
I take the time to get to know my clients and understand what they want to achieve
How can I find out information about school catchment areas ? Usually the first place is the estate agent ’ s particulars . Councils also have lists of schools and catchment areas , and some include interactive maps .
Other good websites are the DirectGov Schools Finder website at schoolsfinder . direct . gov . uk / schoolsfinder , Locrating at www . locrating . com and , surprisingly , the Post Office website at www . postoffice . co . uk / mortgages / school-catchment-areas
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How can I find out what planning permission is currently in place for a property I intend to buy ? Most local authority planning and building control departments have information online . Councils have links to where you can inquire about the work you are permitted to carry out and where you can launch your own planning permission application .
If I intend to do building work on a property soon after I ’ ve bought it , what should I consider ? I would advise that any concerns over planning permission should be resolved before you exchange . This is a must-do if you intend to buy the property solely based on your ability to carry out certain works like , perhaps , an extension .
How can I establish whether a property I ’ m interested in buying is in a conservation area ? The answers can usually be found in the local authority search results , which should form part of a set of searches your solicitor should do . Searches can confirm if your property is a listed building , who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of nearby roads , and whether there are any other restrictions or plans in place .
How can I find out if there are any significant building works or developments planned nearby which may have an impact on the value of the property , as well as my home life ? The searches provide information about a property ’ s past , present and proposed building work , and also any developments in the wider area , which may impact upon it . Searches can also include information about development proposals , such as HS2 or Crossrail , that may affect your property ’ s value .
Can a potential leaseholder find out if any work is planned on a building ? If you are buying a leasehold property , you should receive a leasehold information pack prepared by the freeholder , management company or management agent , with details about current or future work . It contains information on service charges and any arrears . I always ask for the service charge accounts too , for the current financial year and the next . Even if the estimated service charge accounts for the following year aren ’ t available , we can establish when they should be , so there aren ’ t any nasty surprises .
Luke Corby-Owen has been a conveyancer for five years , and with The Law House for nearly two . He knows how stressful it is to buy or sell a home and aims to make it as easy as possible for clients . In his spare time , Luke is a keen rugby fan and an encyclopedia of useless facts !
Luke Corby-Owen Property Lawyer and Conveyancer lcorby-owen @ thelawhouse . com Tel : 020 3150 1919
The Law House Unit 1 Kew Bridge Piazza 8 Kew Bridge Road TW8 0FJ Tel : 020 3150 2525 www . thelawhouse . com