We are buying a flat in Forest Hall. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a lawyer? At some point we have to put money into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our monies?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

Have just purchased a repossessed house at auction in Forest Hall. Conveyancing is necessary. What is next?

Now that you are exchanged you will need to choose a conveyancing practitioner soon as you are faced with a fast approaching a drop dead date to complete the deal. Every auction property will have a bespoke auction pack. This will include evidence of title and search results. Where you are dealing with leasehold premises the auction pack should provide a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and other conveyancing documentation specific to leasehold premises. You must pass this on to your appointed conveyancing solicitor as soon as possible. Do make sure that that you have the requisite funding organised to complete on the date specified in the contract.

How can we know in advance if a Forest Hall conveyancing solicitor on the Virgin Money panel is any good?

When it comes to conveyancing in Forest Hall obtaining recommendations is a good start. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one advertising the lowest fees. We would always recommend that you speak with the lawyer carrying out your transaction.

My relative advised me that where I am purchasing in Forest Hall I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

A search of this type is occasionally quoted for as part of the standard Forest Hall conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing important information about Forest Hall around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Forest Hall Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Local Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information about Forest Hall.

How does conveyancing in Forest Hall differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Forest Hall approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is finished. This is because developers in Forest Hall usually buy the site, 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 conveyancers 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Forest Hall or who has acted in the same development.

My husband and I are FTB’s - had an offer accepted, but the selling agent informed us that the seller will only issue a contract if we instruct their recommended conveyancers as they want a ‘quick sale’. My instinct tells me that we should use a high street solicitor who is familiar with conveyancing in Forest Hall

It is improbable the vendors are behind this. Should the owner require ‘a quick sale', alienating a motivated purchaser is counter productive. Speak to the vendors direct and make sure they comprehend that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to go, with mortgage lined up © you are unencumbered (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you will continue to appoint your own,trusted Forest Hall conveyancing lawyers - as opposed tothose that will provide their estate agent a commission or achieve conveyancing thresholds demanded by head office.

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to meet my requirements, at a great figure which is making it more attractive. I have since been informed that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Forest Hall. Conveyancing advisers have are soon to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Forest Hall ?

The majority of houses in Forest Hall are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Forest Hall in which case you should be shopping around for a Forest Hall conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the freeholder’spermission to carry out changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer should report to you on the legal implications.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Forest Hall - A selection of Questions you should ask before buying

Who is in charge of the block? Best to be warned if fixing the lift or some other significant cost is due in the near future that will be shared between the tenants and will dramatically impact the level of the service fees or necessitate a specific payment. What is the maintenance charge and ground rent on the apartment?