I am planning to move property in March. Will my conveyancing solicitor update the removal company on the day of completion. On a separate note, can you suggest a removal company in Exminster. Conveyancing lawyer was chosen prior to coming across this page.

On the afternoon of completion you will need to collect the house keys from the property agent but this should only occur when the vendors conveyancers advise the agent that they acknowledge receipt of the completion payment and the keys can be released. After that you can tell the removal company that they can start moving you in. As a matter of policy we do not recommend a particular removal company but can help you find a conveyancing in Exminster or a solicitor with expertise in conveyancing in Exminster.

We previously appointed solicitors based in Exminster on the Virgin Money solicitor panel. They are now charging me a further sum for the legal aspects of the Virgin Money mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee specified by Virgin Money?

Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms of Engagement or Quote then yes your solicitor can charge a fee for this. The charge is not dictated by Virgin Money but by your Exminster solicitor. Plenty of firms on the Virgin Money panel will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Exminster off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with HSBC. Conveyancing is new to me. 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 HSBC, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the HSBC conveyancing panel.

My relative recommended that if I am purchasing in Exminster I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

This is a search is occasionally included in the estimate for your Exminster conveyancing searches. It is a large report of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out important information about Exminster around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Exminster Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime statistics, Local Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information concerning Exminster.

I have todaybecome aware that Wolstenholmes have been shut down. They carried out my conveyancing in Exminster for a purchase of a freehold house 10 months ago. How can I establish that the property is registered correctly in the name of the former proprietor?

The easiest way to check if the premises is in your name, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Exminster conveyancing specialists.

I was advised by three or four local property agents in Exminster to get a quote from a solicitor using your seach tool. Is there a financial incentive for Estate Agents to recommend your services over and above alternative conveyancing organisations?

We refuse to make any referral fee for directing people our way. We thought it would be too underhand to pay a commission as home movers will think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Exminster being on the bank conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the conveyancing panel for our lender?

We are not in the business of recommending one firm above another as the right Exminster conveyancing solicitor for you depends on where your priorities lie. For example you may require a local firm with Exminster knowledge or you might be looking for the low cost conveyancing. We recommend that you speak to 3 or 4 lawyers listed before you make your choice..