Help, please! Questions about conveyancing questionnaire!

I_just_want_to_...

Hi all,

A friend of mine has recommended this site, she tells me you are all very helpful!

A few weeks ago, I accepted an offer on my house and have now recieved an 'Additional Enquiries' form from my solicitor. I have a few questions, please.

Firstly, there are several questions about mining subsidence, asking if the property has been affected by mining subsidence and if a claim was made by against British coal. Well we have been here 10 nearly 11 years and I vaguely remember the previous owner mentioning that the coal board had paid out for work, 'many years ago'. That is all I know. It asks if 'tilt' was involved and if a previous owner accepted settlement of a claim. I understand the previous owner did, but maybe 30 years ago. She's since passed away so I can't ask her. What should I put on the form? Will previous mining subsidence affect the sale? I have to say when we bought the house, it was not an issue, our mortgage lender was happy. I should also add that the whole area is an ex-mining area.

Secondly, it asks if the sale of this property is tied in with any other purchase, does this mean the house we're buying, ie our upward chain?

Then the form goes on to ask about disputes with neighbours, and complaints to neghbours. - We have not had an official dispute or made an official complaint, but we did on several occasions last summer ask our next door neighbours to try stop their dog barking (it was a young dog and just needed some training). Is this something I would have to put on the form? It has been resolved now.

Finally we're asked if we have the money to pay a 10% deposit on our purchase, well we do, BUT it is in equity in our cuttent house, is this acceptable?

Sorry it is a long first post, I just want to make sure that I do things right without jepodising the sale of our house.

Marie.

PS Does the buyer see this form? Or just their solicitors?

theartfullodger

I think you've answered most of the questions in your post.

Answer the questionnaire truthfully & honestly, as you anyway planned to ('tis the British way..) and send it back: I'm sure that's what you would want & expect for the seller of any property you are buying to do.

If in doubt talk to your solicitor: That's what they are for.

Cheers!

Lodger

Richard_Webster

What the artful dodger says is right - ask your solicitor. Basically you have to tell them the truth - you can abbreviate the detail a bit - but you should discuss with your solicitor how this is expr4essed.

As far as the deposit is concerned the form is probably asking if you actually have the 10% available rather than being tied up in your present house. Normally this isn't a problem your solicitor will usually be able to get your seller's solicitors to accept whatever deposit your buyer offers.

Richard_Webster

theartfullodger wrote: »

Lodger not dodger.

Dodging is not for me!

Cheers!

Lodger

Sorry! I wrote what I thought I saw!

I_just_want_to_...

Thanks for the replies, folks.

Marie.

Tozer

I_just_want_to_... wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, folks.

Marie.

But certainly don't mention the dog barking incident. Not worth the hassle of questions back from the other side.

jenny74

Tozer wrote: »

But certainly don't mention the dog barking incident. Not worth the hassle of questions back from the other side.

I was going to say this. When some friends of ours moved about 18 months ago, they were told by their solicitor not to mention it as it was unofficial and no longer a problem. (Not a dog but similiar in the respect that there was an issue which was resolved between the neighbours quickly and without any offiical intervention).

Don't worry about it, If, as you say the whole are is ex-mining, the solicitors will be used to dealing with it.

Good luck and hope it works out... we're also in the process of buying/selling but it's early days yet.

Debt_Free_Chick

The definition of a dispute is not entirely precise, but simply asking your neighbour to keep the dog/kids quiet, move their car, turn down the music etc is not a dispute.

Disputes are entrenched disagreements that have effectively reached stalemate, despite attempts to resolve; or which have escalated to a much more formal level, perhaps involving the police, council, solicitors or the Courts! :eek:

Anything simply and amicably resolved by a friendly neighbourly word is absolutely not a dispute, IMHO.