Do the Building Society Association intend to launch a search tool with a view to list firms on the Earl Shilton BS conveyancing panel for example in Derby?

We have not been informed any plans on the part of the BSA to develop such a tool.

I am downsizing from our house in Derby and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a possibility that the property was built on contaminated land. A high street Derby conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. For the life of me I don't know why the purchasers used an internet conveyancing outfit as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Derby. We have lived in Derby for many years we know that this is a non issue. Is it a good idea to get in touch with our local Authority to seek confirmation that the buyers are looking for.

It would appear that you have a conveyancing solicitor already. What do they say? You need to check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same ailment)

I own a renovated Edwardian house in Derby. Conveyancing solicitor acted for me and National Westminster Bank. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw two entries: the first freehold, another for leasehold with the exact same address. Is it worth asking National Westminster Bank to clarify?

You need to assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Derby and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also enquire as to the situation with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the work.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build flat in Derby. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

Set out below is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Derby

Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier?

My husband and I are novice buyers - had an offer accepted, yet the agent informed us that the owners will only issue a contract if we use the agent's preferred conveyancers as they want an ‘expedited deal’. My instinct tells me that we should use a high street solicitor used to conveyancing in Derby

It is improbable the vendors are behind this. If they want ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a motivated purchaser is likely to cause more damage than good. Contact the owners directly and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances in place © you do not need to sell (d) you wish to move quickly (e)however you will continue to use your own,trusted Derby conveyancing lawyers - not the ones that will earn their negotiator at the agency a referral fee or achieve conveyancing thresholds set by head office.