Do the Building Society Association intend to launch a searchable register to list law firms on the Darlington Building Society conveyancing panel for example in Hale End?

We have not been informed any intention on the part of the BSA to develop such a search facility.

My friend recommended that where I am buying in Hale End I should ask my conveyancer to execute a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

A search of this type is occasionally included in the estimate for your Hale End conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out important information about Hale End around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Hale End Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime details, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information concerning Hale End.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I have offered on last month in what should have been a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Hale End is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Hale End are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Hale End you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Hale End may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.

I am looking for a conveyancing solicitor in Hale End for my house move. Is there any facility to review a solicitor's record with the profession’s regulator?

One can review documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations commenced on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find records Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor telephone calls for training requirements.

I've recently bought a leasehold flat in Hale End. Am I liable to pay service charges relating to a period prior to completion of my purchase?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Hale End Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

The best form of lease structure is if the freehold interest is in the ownership of the leaseholders. In this situation the lessees enjoy being in charge if their destiny and although a managing agent is usually employed if the building is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves. What restrictions exist in the Hale End Lease?