The Leighton Buzzard conveyancing firm handling our Leighton Buzzard conveyancing has spotted a difference when comparing the information in the home valuation report and what is revealed within the title deeds. My lawyer has advised that he is duty bound to check that the bank is OK with this discrepancy and is content to go ahead. Is my solicitor’s course or action correct?

Your conveyancing practitioner must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook provisions which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for both parties.

What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Leighton Buzzard? Why is this being asked of me?

Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering regulations require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identity of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing instruction. The Client Care letter that you need to sign will no doubt stipulate this. Your lender will also require certain documents to be checked. Where you are unwilling to provide ID verification documents, your lawyer will not be able to take you on as a client.

I have been recommended a conveyancing solicitor in Leighton Buzzard. I I am struggling to find out whether they are accepted on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel. Can you help?

The first thing you should do is call your conveyancer and ask them if they are on the lender panel. Alternatively you can get in touch with Virgin Money who may be able to help.

My wife and I own a 4 bedroom Victorian property in Leighton Buzzard. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Clydesdale. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold under the matching address. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?

You should assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Leighton Buzzard and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also check the situation with your conveyancing practitioner who conducted the work.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to finding a Leighton Buzzard conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Leighton Buzzard conveyancing practice) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you make enquires with several firms including non Leighton Buzzard conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions could be of use:

If the firm is not ALEP accredited then what is the reason? What volume of lease extensions has the firm carried out in Leighton Buzzard in the last twenty four months?

Leighton Buzzard Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Queries before buying

How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their service charge payments? Best to be warned whether redecorating or some other major work is due in the near future to be shared amongst the leasehold owners and will materially impact the level of the maintenance costs or result in a one time payment. Are there any major works anticipated that could add a premium to the service costs?