Guest Post: Choose Your Conveyancer Wisely

Choose Your Conveyancer Wisely
Denver Burke

Buying or selling a home can certainly be difficult, and enlisting the help of a conveyancer can be quite a nerve-racking experience. Solicitors are all qualified to transfer ownership titles, but it’s always best to enlist the help of a specialist. High standard conveyancers carry a kitemark logo and are authorised by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.

What Do Conveyancers Do?

A conveyancer’s job is to undertake important research on the property, to ensure that the local authorities have no existing plans for your property and that there are no liabilities, such as sewers running close to the home.

Conveyancers should also advise you about the myriad costs involved in property purchasing and selling. They should also ensure that your mortgage lender has all the relevant information and oversee any necessary payments. Contracts will be checked by your conveyance – and where necessary – drafted up, when the property has been purchased.

And, of course, register you with the Land Registry.

How Do You Choose A Conveyancer?

You should always have a conveyancer on board before you decide to sell. It may help to employ your solicitor alongside your mortgage lender – it could work out cheaper and some lenders only work with trusted solicitors anyway, so it simplifies the process for everyone (blame the credit crunch). If you choose a good mortgage lender, you can be sure the solicitors will be of high quality also, and have been tried and tested.

Of course, you can always use a solicitor of your choice, but you may be charged by your lender for this, or asked to go elsewhere!

Alternatively, you can use an online conveyance. He or she should be a conduit and will let you check your progress online through emails and texts. Of course, you will need to be technologically savvy to make the most of this service.

The Money

Only go with conveyancers that will disclose their charges from the very beginning, so you get no nasty surprises down the line. Expect to be charged for time, telephone/internet charges, indemnity fees, letters, and contingency fees. Plus, anything legal like Land Registry and council fees.

The price of the property transfer usually depends on how expensive your home is; even if no more effort goes into processing a £100,000 property or a £1,000,000 one, you still have to pay more. According to reallymoving.com, the average cost of conveyancing is £850, so factor this into your home-moving budget.

Due to the competitive market, there are now fixed-rate deals available. Some also offer no-completion, no-fee deals, if the selling and buying process collapses. Most cost-effective options come from national chains, so make sure you start there, if you’re looking for a deal on conveyancing solicitors. The downside of going this way, however, is limited personal interaction.

It’s inadvisable, although possible, to conduct your own conveyancing. You will save yourself a lot of time and stress by hiring a professional.

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Guest Post: Involved in an Accident at Work? Steps to Consider

Involved in an Accident at Work? Steps to Consider

As human beings, we’re prone to making mistakes, but it’s not unusual for employees to suffer from an accident at work that wasn’t their fault. However, many workers are uncomfortable with taking action, after such an incident occurs; perhaps they are afraid of career ramifications or they just don’t want to get the company in trouble.

Yet, failing to follow the correct personal injury protocol can lead to other employees suffering the same fate. So, not only is it important that you do this for yourself, but it’s crucial for your co-workers’ safety too.

Here’s what you should do, following an accident.

Step One

Report the incident to your line manager or supervisor. Your side of events should be recorded in the Accident Book. Specify clearly what happened and who you believe to be at fault. Your business is required by law to have an Accident Book on the premises, so request it when you’re able.

Before you sign the Accident Report, ensure that you believe it’s entirely factually correct. Don’t let your employer pressurise you into signing. If you think the incident hasn’t been accurately documented, ask for amendments to be made. Once you sign, you are legally agreeing to the content.

Step Two

Write a journal and track any injuries you have sustained. It’s particularly important to record your side of the story, so you can remember crucial details, later down the line – do this soon after the accident, while the facts are fresh in your mind.

Keep any evidence that proves your version of events is correct. For example, witness contact details and photographs.

Step Three

Seek medical attention as soon as you possibly can and get a professional diagnosis. Even if you think your injuries are minor, it’s crucial that you do the right thing and put your health first.

If you plan to make a claim, you need to have your medical condition on record, after the incident. There must be a link in the doctor’s notes with the accident at work, to show ‘causation.’

Your notes should also include your diagnosis and any treatments or medication you’ve been given. Follow the doctor’s orders to the t.

Step Four

You must do what you can to keep your losses low. This means going back to work when you’re able and seeking all the treatment you possibly can; even if that means it’s being paid for by you. Normally, that expenditure will be recoverable.

Step Five

Making a claim can be a big decision, so you should seek out legal advice – a lot of accident at work solicitors will offer up the first consultation at no charge. You do have three years to settle your claim, but it’s best to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

Different rules do apply to minors (those under 18 years-old) – they have a three year time limit, which begins after their 18^th birthday.

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