It seems that tin soil contamination may be an issue in City Of London. Please advise.
There are extensive regulations imposed to stop future soil contamination. Also considering issues such as water contaminants such as sewage and organohalides, contaminants affecting City Of London property will be factored into an environmental search.
We are purchasing in City Of London with Irish Permanent - what will we need to be aware of?
Purchasers should be aware that a small number of lenders have opted to reduce the size of their 'solicitor panel'. Homeward Legal are able to act for many mortgage lenders.
If there are outstanding works approved in the planning consent, can I still use it?
Generally speaking, planning permission legally has to have an expiry date, which is usually for a period of three years from approval for the building work to start (and not necessarily complete, unless the consent has a suitable caveat).
This means that the consent is against the property and the intended construction rather than the person who made the application. As such, if the planning consent remains within the expiry period, the agreement is transferrable to the new owner of the property.
Your solicitor will be able to provide further advice, once enquiries with the local authority have been satisfactorily completed as part of the conveyancing.
My partner and I are buying in City Of London. Can I find out whether the property is in a conservation area?
Areas considered to be of historical merit, like picturesque villages, may be recognised as conservation areas. Living in a conservation area can mean preservation of an area's historic charm, but the restrictions can add to maintenance costs. A property solicitor will address the consequences of purchasing property in a conservation area.
What do I get for my money from an estate agent?
A good estate agent will be able to bring their local knowledge into your transaction and reduce the amount of stress you might experience as part of the whole moving experience.
Although it might seem that agents do very little for their clients, they will help you set the sale price for your home by using their knowledge of similar properties, a large part will involve marketing your home by expressing it in its best light online and through fliers, phone calls and emails, etc., they will conduct viewings with ay interested potential buyers, manage the negotiations on the offers as they come in and, by law, they will also have to take all necessary steps to ensure the buyer is serious about entering into the contract to purchase the property when an offer is made.
However good you believe your chosen estate agent to be, you should take time to read through the terms and conditions thoroughly to understand what you’re paying them and what you’re going to get for your money.