Imaan Anwar

Expertise

In my role I deal with a wide variety of both conveyancing and general property law related matters mainly involving residential property but with the ability to deal with commercial property too.

I regularly act on sales, purchases, transfers of equity and refinances of houses, flats and properties which are part of a wider estate. In addition, I also deal with more complex transactions involving new build properties, right to buy properties, grant of new leases, lease extensions and shared ownership properties.

I am very familiar with the requirements and conditions of mortgage lenders and through a thorough understanding of the government schemes available to residential property buyers (such as the Help to Buy Bonus Scheme, Help to Buy Equity Loan Scheme and the Lifetime ISA), I can work with the relevant organisations to obtain the funds required to complete any transaction in a timely manner and with ease.

Experience

I joined the firm in 2018 as a paralegal and qualified as a Solicitor in early 2021.

· Successfully obtained a ‘Lawful Development Certificate: Existing Use’ from the council for a client who converted a house into two self-contained flats without obtaining planning permission – this certificate stated that the use of the building was now considered legal due to the fact that the council’s enforcement period had come to an end and they were now time barred from taking enforcement action. It eradicated future complications and concerns for the client who was looking to grant leases in respect of the two flats and eventually sell or obtain mortgages over them.

· Provided advice in relation to a client who wished to covert a two-storey industrial building into a four or five (dependant on planning permission) storey building with commercial use for the first storey and residential use for the remaining storeys. I identified a restriction attached to the property which prohibited any other use of the land apart from ‘industrial use’ which created a major obstacle for the client’s plans. I advised on the likelihood of enforceability of the restriction and arranged for a breach of restrictive covenant indemnity insurance policy enabling the client to go ahead with financial protection in the event that the restriction was enforced by the beneficiary.

On the weekend I… enjoy spending time with my family and friends and taking part in many different hobbies including cooking, running, smoking cigars and admiring my collection of sports memorabilia. I am a supporter of Arsenal Football Club as well as a very passionate supporter of my country’s national cricket team.

On my first day at YVA Solicitors LLP… I was extremely shy and nervous. I was swiftly shown to my desk (this was in a two-person trainee room where trainees/paralegals sat opposite one another). I sat down on my chair and looked up to see Ana-Maria Villegas Alvarez – she was at the time a Trainee Solicitor a month and half away from qualification (today she is one of the best solicitors in the Property Law Department of the firm).

Our first conversation went something like this…

Ana: Hello

Imaan: Hi

Ana: How are you?

Imaan: I am really good thanks and you?

Ana: I am great. Hey, when is your birthday?

Imaan: Tomorrow.

Ana: Mine too!

Imaan: You are joking?

Ana: No, not at all. This was just meant to be!

Ever since, I have felt it was indeed meant to be. Ana and I got on so well, we have shared many jokes and she has always been a great influence on me ever since I joined the firm – she has always inspired me, looked after me and I see her as more as a very close friend than a colleague. Thank you Ana!