My partner’s dad is a conveyancing practitioner. I suspect that I'll be able to get preferential pricing for conveyancing, However if that does not come materialise, what level of fees would I typically be looking at for conveyancing in Colchester?

It’s wise to obtain 3 or more like-for-like conveyancing quotes. Do use our comparison tool on this site. The quotes may vary but service levels do differ between conveyancers as is true with the vast majority of professional services.

Why is leasehold purchase conveyancing in Colchester costs more?

In short, leasehold conveyancing in Colchester and Essex usually necessitates more hours of investigation compared to freehold transactions. This includes reviewing the lease, corresponding with the landlord about the service of required notices, procuring up-to-date service charge and management information, procuring the freeholder’s consents and reviewing management accounts. The obligations on both the landlord and the tenant in the lease need to be studied by the buyer’s conveyancing team and read from beginning to end – regardless of the fact the lease has passed through many different property solicitors hands since it was first granted.

I am being told by my conveyancer that lack of planning permission insurance is necessary on my purchase. What is the level of cover for Colchester conveyancing?

The appropriate level of lack of planning permission indemnity insurance should be dictated by who who your lender is. It would differ for example between Birmingham Midshires and Chelsea Building Society. Conveyancing solicitors as opposed to borrowers take out such policies.

I am expecting a AIP from Co-operative this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Co-operative recommend any Colchester solicitors on the Co-operative conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer?

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

My fiancee and I are in the throws of looking at flats in Colchester and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it too early to have a solicitor in place? I intend to finance via a mortgage with Kent Reliance.

You should start obtaining conveyancing estimates from solicitors ASAP. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their contact information on to the EA. Given that you are getting a mortgage with Kent Reliance, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel.

I was pointed in your direction by numerous estate agents in Colchester to find a solicitor on your site. Is there a financial upside for Estate Agents to offer your site rather than alternative conveyancing organisations?

We don’t give any commission for pointing buyers and sellers our way. We thought it would be too underhand to pay a commission as home movers will think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

Please can you clarify what my options are where my Colchester conveyancing searches reveals negative entries?

Ordinarily, most adverse entries exposed in Colchester conveyancing search results can be addressed before completion or title insurance could possibly be obtained. You should remember that regardless of the fact that you may be acquiring the premises and may be willing to live with the search results, your lender may not, and when all said and done the decision rests with them.