Conveyancing – Working as a Team
Reasons to choose Wilson Browne
It’s fair to say that conveyancing has changed in many ways over the years, from the introduction of an electronic register to the significance of Japanese Knotweed!
Transactions are perhaps taking longer than ever before given the fact that compliance and fraud prevention are now an integral part of the conveyancing process. Aside from this mortgage lender’s requirements are becoming increasingly detailed and conveyancing chains (the number of sellers and buyers linked to your transaction) can be very long!
In view of this, it is vital that all parties work together to ensure a smooth and efficient transaction but how does this happen in practice?
Your Conveyancer
Historically it was usual for the conveyancing transaction to be undertaken by a conveyancer with the support of a secretary or assistant.
As the nature of modern conveyancing has evolved, most conveyancers now work as part of a wider team.
A conveyancing team is very likely to be made up of a senior conveyancer/team leader who will be responsible for the team as a whole. They may be assisted by another conveyancer or senior paralegal. More junior paralegals will also assist and provide admin support.
This is helpful because even if the person with the overall conduct of your transaction is not available, there will always be a member of the team with knowledge of your transaction to help you and ensure matters are progressed.
Of course teamwork does not end with your conveyancer but extends to your mortgage lender, estate agent, mortgage broker, surveyor and yourself.
Communication
The key to all of this is communication and all parties will work together to ensure matters move along seamlessly. You can assist with the progress of your transaction by instructing your conveyancer as early as possible, once a sale/purchase has been agreed or even before it has! You should ensure that all relevant information is provided to all parties upon request and assist with returning the required documentation as quickly as possible.
If you are purchasing, it is helpful to let your conveyancer know as soon as possible of any works that have been carried out to the property, if there are any discrepancies with the plan or any agreements you believe to be in place, for example arrangements as to parking, in order that these can be investigated early on in the transaction. Your conveyancer will not usually be physically aware of the property and as such will rely on you and/or your surveyor to make them aware of any matters that may require further investigation.
If you are selling, you can assist your conveyancer by providing all the paperwork you hold in relation to the property at the beginning of the process, such as for example:-
- Any guarantees for new installations;
- Planning permissions for any works carried out to the property;
- Building regulation approval and certification for any works carried out to the property;
- Applicable service records, for example, alarms or central heating.
By providing this information at an early stage, this can reduce the number of enquiries which are raised by the buyer’s conveyancer, speeding up the process. You should also deal with any further requests for information you receive from your conveyancer as soon as you can.
Ultimately by everyone working as a team, we can progress your conveyancing transaction in the most efficient way possible.