A constructive trust arises where the intentions of the parties are to share the beneficial interest of property/land (also known as equitable interest, meaning the share of any gain or loss on sale/transfer) between each other. This does not always mean that the parties are the legal owners of the...

You may sometimes only become aware that you're buying a house with a loft conversion without building regulations once you obtain your local authority search during the conveyancing process. This is a major issue for three reasons: the property may not be worth the full asking price...

A structural engineer is an engineer who specialises in the structure of buildings and their knowledge is indispensable if you want to alter your property's structure. They can determine a building's strength, durability and safety using specialist measurements and, most importantly, they...

One of the first stages in the conveyancing process after instructing your solicitor is to provide them with your ID; both photo and proof of address. Whereas historically this was required to be in original format solicitors are more and more using technology to confirm who...

With 4 out of 5 first time buyers receiving help from the bank of Mum and Dad for their deposit on their home you would expect the process for providing gifted deposits to be straightforward. Sadly it is an area of great confusion where your child’s conveyancing process could be delayed and at...

Heylo Housing shared ownership offers first time buyers and home movers a version of shared ownership (part buy, part rent) where they can buy a property without a mortgage and where clients can either buy a new build (via its "Your Front Door" scheme) or an existing property (via its "Your Home"...

How long between exchange and completion can be any time which is mutually agreed between all parties in the chain. A Property Chain is the term used for all of the buyers and sellers connected via various sale and purchase conveyancing transactions; it most often has a first time buyer at one end...

When instructing a solicitor to act for you in the purchase of a property you'll need to: Provide Proof of ID & Address (click to see what ID/Address your Solicitor needs); and Provide proof of funds for the money you are using. A solicitor's obligation to prove the...

It's not uncommon to find out, during the legal enquiries stage of your conveyancing process that there's no FENSA certificate for windows (double glazed windows and/or doors) of a property you're looking to buy. Either the seller has lost their FENSA certificate or they installed double glazing...

If you're a freeholder and considering selling a freehold interest in flats, you'll firstly want to get a RICS freehold valuer to give you an up-to-date valuation of what your interest is worth.  Then, you must normally - with a few exceptions discussed below - first serve a Section 5 Notice...

The 10% deposit payable on exchange is what you'd most likely think of first regarding deposits and buying houses but there's quite a few other deposits you'll need to budget for (and know when to pay) during your conveyancing process. Read on and we'll explain what needs to be paid and when so...

No sale no fee is a USP that some conveyancing solicitors provide with their quotes and offers a form of security against the legal fees when a property transaction falls through. With an estimated 1 in 3 home moves not completing, you can see why having no sale no fee solicitors is a must....