FTB - Conveyancing Direct - Extra searches charge + Accuracy of amount to take Lifetime ISA

YellowPawPaw

Hi all,

We are due to exchange and complete this month.
Has anyone ever used Conveyancing Direct services ? Here is our situation.

--> Searches - I asked for clarification on the below twice with no response:
We have paid for searches upfront at the start of our process. We had to pay twice for searches due to a first house we ended up not purchasing. We are fine with this obviously. I just noted the difference in total searches charges: In the previous sale we were charged an additional £25.04 for mining search which we paid when asked. The mining search was not requested on this sale however we paid £500 incl VAT total for the 2nd sale searches while we paid £450.04 incl VAT total on the first sale (£425 incl VAT as payment of account and £25.04 incl VAT). So there is an additional £44.40 incl VAT charge on the second sale.

In the invoice received there are 2 additional lines: TM Search bundle and TM Mining searches which totals £442.9 incl VAT. TM search seem to be some kind of protection which we never agreed to. If we pay this, that would mean we would have paid just for searched on one property a total of £942.90. Which is insane. 

I queried this a third time but wondering if someone else experienced the same thing?

--> Lifetime ISA - 10% of our property deposit is £21,500. Our solicitor is saying they would need to obtain £21,948 from our LISAs. Is this normal? Has anyone got their solicitor taking more than their deposit from their LISA? That amount is not clearly justified and I requested a clarification. 

Overall I am very surprised about this, has anyone got the same experience?

propertyrental

Are both properties in the same local authority area? Different coiuncil charge differently.

Depending on location, a mining search may or may not be relevant. In some cases a mortgage lender might insist on it (ie if in a mining area).

LISA details not cler to me: how much is the purchase price (and hence the 10% deposit)? How much is your LISA?

user1977

propertyrental said:

Depending on location, a mining search may or may not be relevant. In some cases a mortgage lender might insist on it (ie if in a mining area).

You don't really get lender-specific requirements on this - if it's in an area which the Coal Authority deems to be a coalfield then for any lender you need a mining search. And if not, then not.

YellowPawPaw

Both property are in the same local authority area yes. Just 2mn drive away from each other.

Mining is relevant, just wondering about the extra search bundle really aside from the different in price from a property to another. 

Purchase price is £215,000.00
Deposit 10% is 21,500.00
Solicitor want to take £21,948 from our LISAs - We have more than enough on the LISAs
Solicitor fees are paid separately

They were willing to take their fees from our LISAs which I read on Moneybox website it is no possible?