We were going to get a DIP from Barclays this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Barclays recommend any Catton solicitors on the Barclays conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?

You will need to appoint Catton solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Barclays conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Barclays through the process.

Intending to buy a maisonette in Catton. I have received an online quote from a licenced conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Lender if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.

They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that the Catton conveyancing practitioner is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel.

I was told three weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by Clydesdale. Is it usual for Clydesdale to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Catton is approved on their conveyancing panel? Clydesdale have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their PI Insurance.

Mortgage companies tend not to not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Clydesdale to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

My colleague suggested that where I am buying in Catton I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

A search of this type is usually quoted for as part of the standard Catton conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out important information about Catton around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Catton Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data regarding Catton.

How does conveyancing in Catton differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Catton contact us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is constructed. This is because house builders in Catton usually acquire the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Catton or who has acted in the same development.

Is it possible to transfer to a new conveyancer as I need to retain one who is on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel. I hired a high street conveyancing solicitor in Catton five minutes from me but she is not approved by Bank of Ireland

It would be our pleasure to assist you find a conveyancing solicitor in Catton on the Bank of Ireland panel. Please note that the property lawyers that we on the directory do not pay us fee if you instruct them and are authorised and regulated by the SRA who oversee all conveyancing solicitors in Catton. Using search facility on this site, you can compare and instruct different solicitors and conveyancers both nationally and in Catton.

I own a leasehold house in Catton. Conveyancing and Barclays mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1993. The conveyancing practitioner in Catton who previously acted has now retired. Any advice?

First make enquiries of the Land Registry to make sure that this person is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. It is not necessary to incur the fees of a Catton conveyancing solicitor to do this as it can be done on-line for £3. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

I bought a split level flat in Catton, conveyancing was carried out in 2005. Can you let me have an estimated range of the fair premium for a lease extension? Comparable properties in Catton with an extended lease are worth £197,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £55 yearly. The lease runs out on 21st October 2080

You have 55 years remaining on your lease the likely cost is going to be between £31,400 and £36,200 plus professional fees.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed investigations. You should not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be other issues that need to be taken into account and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.