The owners have rather assertive sellers who has suggested a exclusivity contract with a payment two thousand pounds. Is it wise to enter into such agreements?

Exclusivity agreements are agreements binding a home seller and prospective acquirer giving the buyer a ‘clear field’ to the sale of the premises within a prescribed time frame. Essentially, a lock out is a document stating that you should receive a contract at a later time which is the main conveyancing contract. It tends to be used for buyer assurance though in some cases, the proprietor may enjoy an upside from such agreements as well. There are many pros and cons to having an agreement but you need to check with your solicitor but note that it may end up incurring more in conveyancing fees. In light of these reasons these agreements are unusual when it comes to conveyancing in Scarborough.

In researching mumsnet.com for a cheap lawyer in Scarborough, many post that I should instruct a CQS accredited solicitor. Can you explain what CQS is?

The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the recognised kitemark for legal experts in the legal transfer of properties, trusted by some of the UK's major banks. Four years ago the Conveyancing Quality Scheme was officially recognised by the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The scheme does not cover licenced conveyancers. Scarborough is one of the many areas of the UK where there are Accredited solicitors.

Forgive me if this question is silly but I am unseasoned as FTB of a two bedroom flat in Scarborough. Do I pick up the keys to the premises on completion from my conveyancer? If this is the case, I will find a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Scarborough?

On the day of completion you will not be required to attend the conveyancers office in Scarborough. Conveyancing lawyers for you will arrange to send the purchase money to the vendor’s conveyancers, and once they have received this, you will be invited to collect the keys from the selling Agents and move into your new home. This tends to happen early afternoon.

When it comes to lenders such as Nationwide, do Scarborough lawyers have to pay a fee to be on the conveyancing panel?

We are not aware of any bank fees to be on their panel, although some do charge an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.

Virgin Money have agreed my mortgage in principle, my bid on a apartment in Scarborough has been accepted, what happens next?

The property agent will want to know who your solicitors are (ensure that the lawyers are on the bank’s panel). Call up Virgin Money or your broker and finalise any appropriate documentation. Virgin Money will sellect a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or vendor to book an appointment. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes about a week to get a mortgage offer. Virgin Money will issue the offer to you and your conveyancers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Scarborough.

I am employed by a reputable estate agency in Scarborough where we see a number of leasehold sales derailed as a result of short leases. I have received conflicting advice from local Scarborough conveyancing solicitors. Please can you clarify whether the vendor of a flat can initiate the lease extension process for the buyer?

As long as the seller has owned the lease for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to kick-start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the buyer need not have to sit tight for 2 years to extend their lease. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed before, or simultaneously with completion of the sale.

Alternatively, it may be possible to extend the lease informally by agreement with the landlord either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the buyer.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Scarborough - Examples of Questions you should consider before Purchasing

The answer will be important as a) areas can result in problems for the block as the common areas may begin to deteriorate where maintenance are not paid for b) if the leaseholders have an issue with the running of the building you will want to know about it Is the freehold owned collectively by the leaseholders? Does this lease have in excess of 80 years unexpired?

We have today had an offer accepted on our 1st house in Scarborough, and are now looking to get solicitors instructed. I have used the different comparison based websites and the results are from all over the England and Wales. Is it advisable to have a Scarborough lawyer local to our potential new home? I am content to do all the communicating electronically, but I guess at some stage we will need to attend the solicitor's office to sign contracts?

There is no need to physically visit the office of your solicitor, they can post any relevant papers to you, which you can sign and return. Many home movers choose to instruct a locally based solicitor, but it is not a prerequisite for conveyancing in Scarborough.