I was advised recently by my mortgage adviser that my Crabtree property lawyer is not on the mortgage company Conveyancing panel. How can I be certain whether this is indeed the case?

You need to call your Crabtree lawyer directly. You lawyer should advise you what has happened. If they are not on the panel they may recommend you to a Crabtree conveyancing firm that is on the conveyancing panel for your bank.

My colleague suggested that where I am buying in Crabtree I should ask my conveyancer to perform a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

A search of this type is usually included in the estimate for your Crabtree conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out significant information about Crabtree 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, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information concerning Crabtree.

4 months have elapsed since my purchase conveyancing in Crabtree concluded. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £180,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the residence from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build apartment in Crabtree. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Set out below is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Crabtree

Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company?

I am using a search engine for the term conveyancing in Crabtree it reveals numerous property lawyerslocally. With so much choice what is the best way to find the suitable property lawyer for the sale of my house?

The preferential method of seeking a suitable conveyancer is through a personal testimonial, so ask colleagues and family who have acquired a property in Crabtree or the respected estate agent or financial adviser. Fees for conveyancing in Crabtree vary, so it's advisable to request a minimum of three fee calculations from varying types of companies. Be sure to obtain confirmation that the charges are assured not to increase.