Having spent time researching online forums for a high-quality lawyer in Aldershot, most say that I must instruct a CQS assured solicitor. Can you explain what CQS is?

Aldershot Conveyancing Quality Scheme law firms have achieved accreditation by the law Society CQS was established to promote high standards in the in the legal transfer of properties. CQS enables buyers and sellers to identify practices that provide a quality residential conveyancing. Aldershot is one of locations in England and Wales in which CQS have offices. The scheme obliges solicitors to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self-reporting, random audits and yearly assessments in order to maintain CQS status. It is available to solicitors and not licensed conveyancers and has the support of the Association of British Insurers.

I purchased my apartment on 1 February and the transaction details is not yet registered. Should I be concerned? My conveyancing solicitor in Aldershot said it will be dealt with in less than a month. Are transfers in Aldershot particularly slow to register?

As far as conveyancing in Aldershot is concerned, registration is no quicker or slower than anywhere else in England and Wales. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timeframes can vary according to the party submitting the application, whether there are errors and if the Land registry communicate with any other persons or bodies. At present in the region of 80% of submission are completed within 12 days but occasionally there can be longer hold-ups. Registration is effected after the buyer is living at the premises therefore registration formalities is not always top priority yet where there is a degree of urgency associated with the registration then you or your conveyancer can communicate with the Registry to express the reasoning for the application to be prioritised.

I have been pointed in your direction by a few estate agents in Aldershot to select a property lawyer using your seach tool. Is there a financial advantage for Estate Agents to recommend your site rather than another?

We don’t make any commission for sending work our way. We found it would be just too difficult a fee because members of the public would think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.

As co-executor for the will of my grandmother I am selling a house in Monmouth but live in Aldershot. My lawyer (approximately 300 miles from mehas requested that I sign a stat dec prior to completion. Can you recommend a conveyancing lawyer in Aldershot to witness this legal document for me?

strictly speaking you are not likely to be required to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or solicitor will do regardless of whether they are located in Aldershot

I've recently bought a leasehold property in Aldershot. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Leasehold Conveyancing in Aldershot - A selection of Queries Prior to buying

The best form of lease arrangement is if the freehold interest is in the ownership of the leaseholders. In this scenario the leaseholders benefit from being in charge if their destiny and although a managing agent is often retained where the building is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent employed by the leaseholders. How is the lease structured?