In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Alford? What am I being asked for?

Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identification documents of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing business. The Terms and Conditions that you need to sign will no doubt reaffirm this. Your lender will also require certain documents to be viewed. Should you are unwilling to supply ID verification documents, your lawyer will not be able to take you on as a client.

Me and my brother have a 4 bedroom Georgian house in Alford. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Yorkshire Building Society. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are a couple of entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same address. Is it worth asking Yorkshire Building Society to clarify?

You need to review 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 Alford and other areas of 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 position with your conveyancing lawyer who conducted the purchase.

Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Alford in advance of retaining solicitors. I have been told that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. My surveyor advised that some banks tend not issue a mortgage on a flying freehold house.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Santander has different requirements for example to Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can check via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Alford. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Alford to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.

I was pointed in your direction by numerous selling agents in Alford to select a conveyancer using your seach tool. Is there a financial inducement for Estate Agents to recommend your services ahead of another?

We don’t offer any financial incentive for directing people in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission because members of the public would think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not receiving any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.

There are a number of houses in Alford on unadopted roads. We are acquiring one such house. What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a house on a privately owned road?

Alford conveyancing firms will be familiar with transacting propertieson unadopted roads. Your property lawyer should investigate title to identify any rights or responsibilities. It is possible that there is a management company (wholly owned by residents) that owners pay into to maintain the road. If one exists, the road should be maintained and appear better than publicly owned.