Is it the case that all Castleton and Blacktown CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel?

It is true that some banks and building societies now make use of CQS as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their panels.

We are getting the release of further funds on our mortgage from TSB as we wish to conduct renovations to our house in Castleton and Blacktown. Are we obliged to select a bricks and mortar Castleton and Blacktown solicitor on the TSB conveyancing panel to deal with the paperwork?

TSB do not ordinarily require firms on their approved list of lawyers to deal with such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the TSB panel.

I am buying a property in Castleton and Blacktown. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Clydesdale have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?

Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Clydesdale your lawyer must follow the conveyancing instructions contained in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Clydesdale. The CML Handbook stipulates minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancers are required to report to Clydesdale where a lease fails to satisfy these specifications. The provisions relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not restricted to Castleton and Blacktown.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a ground for flat up to £235,500 and identified one round the corner in Castleton and Blacktown I like with open areas and station in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 51 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Castleton and Blacktown suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?

If you need a home loan that many years will likely be an issue. Reduce the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing owner has owned the premises for at least twenty four months you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer about this matter.

I'm refinancing my existing house to a buy to let loan with Barnsley Building Society and intend to use the remaining equity towards a second property. The neighborhood we are interested in is Castleton and Blacktown. Will your conveyancers be able to act for both sets of mortgage companies and tie in the conveyances?

Do use our comparison tool on this site to ensure that the lawyers are on the relevant lender panels. Assuming that they are your conveyancer will be able to connect the two transactions but you should have a chat with you solicitor and make apparent your expectations and requirements.

I have been sourcing a conveyancing solicitor in Castleton and Blacktown for my house move. Is it possible to see a solicitor's complaints history with the profession’s regulator?

Members of the public may search for presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations commenced on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's history, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA could recorded telephone calls for training reasons.

Last September I purchased a leasehold property in Castleton and Blacktown. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to completion of my purchase?

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. Strange as it may seem, 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).

Castleton and Blacktown Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Queries before Purchasing

What prohibitions are contained in the Castleton and Blacktown Lease? It is important to be aware whether changing the roof or some other major work is due in the near future that will be shared by the leasehold owners and will dramatically increase the the service fees or necessitate a specific payment. Are any of leasehold owners in dispute over their service charge payments?