We were about to retain a conveyancing solicitor in Burton upon Trent recommended by you but have come across alternative estimates on the internet seem less pricey – why is this?

There are plenty of solicitors promoting supposedly cut-price conveyancing, yet more often than not extrafees end up with the closing invoice totally different to the one you expected. According to the Legal Ombudsman charges contained in terms of engagement should be equitable invoiced The solicitors that we list for conveyancing in Burton upon Trent clearly state all costs for a standard conveyancing matter.

I am acquiring a brand new duplex in Burton upon Trent and my conveyancer is telling me that she is duty bound to the mortgage company to reveal incentives from the developer. I am under pressure to exchange contracts and I would rather not delay deal. is my lawyer playing by the book?

You should not exchange unless you have been advised to do so by your property lawyer. A precondition to being on a mortgage company panel is to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook provisions. The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.

It is a dozen years since I purchased my home in Burton upon Trent. Conveyancing lawyers have just been appointed on the sale but I can't track down the title deeds. Will this jeopardise the sale?

Don’t worry too much. Firstly there is a chance that the deeds will be retained by the lender or they may be in the possession of the lawyers who acted in the purchase. Secondly in all probability the property will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you are the registered owner by your conveyancing lawyers procuring up to date copy of the land registers. The vast majority of conveyancing in Burton upon Trent involves registered property but in the unlikely event that your property is not registered it is more problematic but is not insurmountable.

When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Burton upon Trent what are the most frequent lease defects?

Leasehold conveyancing in Burton upon Trent is not unique. Most leases are drafted differently and legal mistakes in the legal wording can result in certain provisions are not included. The following missing provisions could result in a defective lease:

A provision for the recovery of money spent for the benefit of another party.

You may have difficulties when selling your property if you have a defective lease as they can affect a potential buyer’s ability to obtain a mortgage. Lloyds TSB Bank, The Royal Bank of Scotland, and Godiva Mortgages Ltd all have express conveyancing instructions when it comes to what is expected in a lease. Where a lender has been advised by their lawyers that the lease is defective they may refuse to grant the mortgage, forcing the buyer to withdraw.

Burton upon Trent Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Queries before Purchasing

Who takes responsibility for maintaining and repairing the block? It would be prudent to discover as much as you can regarding the managing agents as they will either make your living at the property much easier or uncomfortable. As the proprietor of a leasehold property you are frequently in the clutches of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to practical matters such as the upkeep of the communal areas. Enquire of other tenants what they think of their service. On a final note, be sure you understand the dates that the service charges are due to the managing agents and specifically what it includes.

We are first time buyers just having agreed a price on a property in Burton upon Trent, and are now looking to get solicitors lined up. We have made use of the numerous rating tools and the results are from all across the country. Is it necessary to have a Burton upon Trent lawyer local to your prospective new home? I am willing to do all the communicating electronically, but I assume at some stage we will be required to physically go into the conveyancer's office to sign documents?

Generally there is no requirement to attend the office of your property lawyer, they can post any relevant documents to you, which you can sign and return. Many buyers and sellers prefer to use a locally based solicitor, but it is not a prerequisite for conveyancing in Burton upon Trent.