At what point will exchange of contracts happen for domestic conveyancing in Canford Heath and am I required to be at the solicitors branch?

Where you are in close proximity to our conveyancing solicitors in Canford Heath you are invited in to sign contracts. That being said, the lender approved solicitors we work with supply countrywide coverage for conveyancing and provide as equally diligent and professional a job for you when communicating with you electronically. The signing of the property agreement is not the critical part. Signing on the dotted line is just a prerequisite for the solicitor to exchange contracts at the appropriate time, which is ordinarily shortly after signing. The exchange process is nowadays normally dealt with by telephone and can be very rapid, although where a lengthy "chain" is involved, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Canford Heath)to be in the office available at the end of the phone to exchange contracts.

When it comes to mortgage companies such as Coventry BS, do Canford Heath conveyancers incur a fee to be on the list of approved solicitors?

We are not aware of any bank fees to register on their list of approved firms, although some do charge an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Canford Heath off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Kent Reliance. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Kent Reliance, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel.

The mortgage over my property is with Clydesdale for my property in Canford Heath. Conveyancing has been completed some time ago. If I am intending to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Clydesdale?

You must advise Clydesdale in advance of renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Clydesdale’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will permit you to let out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Clydesdale directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Clydesdale conveyancing panel firm.

What will a local search tell me regarding the property my wife and I buying in Canford Heath?

Canford Heath conveyancing often commences with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search company for instance PSG The local search is essential in every Canford Heath conveyancing purchase; as long as you wish to avoid any unpleasant surprises after you move into your new home. The search should provide information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of 13 subject sections.

I used Wolstenholmes several years past for my conveyancing in Canford Heath. Now, I need my documents but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?

Do call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Canford Heath of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously used, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

My father purchased his flat in Canford Heath ten years ago. He has since got married, widowed and has recently married again. He now wishes to the sell the Canford Heath property. I believe he will just be asked to provide a copy of his marriage certificates to the lawyer however he is concerned it could frustrate the sale of the flat. Is it worth updating the title documents for the house?

It is not absolutely necessary to update the title for the property as long as you have the evidence required to demonstrate how the name change occurred.

Any buyer’s conveyancing practitioner will examine the land registry information and ask for evidence to establish the change of name for example marriage documentation.