I am buying an apartment in Seaham. My Conveyancer is not listed on the bank solicitor panel. Is it possible for me to retain my Seaham conveyancing solicitor even though they are excluded from the lender list of approved lawyers?

One must appoint a lawyer to complete the formalities if you need a mortgage to buy your property. The solicitor will carry out all the essential due diligence on the property, ensuring that you’re properly registered as the owner and ensure that all the necessary mortgage documentation is dealt with. One could appoint a Seaham lawyer of your choice. Nevertheless, if the solicitor appointed is not a member of the lender approved list supplemental charges will be levied as separate legal representation will be required by them. Lender panel applications may be submitted, so provided your solicitor has not historically applied for membership they should do so.

We see that you have a post code search directory listing law firms on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a commission if I instruct them for our conveyancing in Seaham?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Seaham.

Our mortgage company has recommended solicitors on their panel based in Seaham but I would rather choose a conveyancing lawyer in Seaham local to me. Can you assist?

Far from all Seaham conveyancing practitioners are listed all banks conveyancing panel. Please make the most of our search tool to find a Seaham conveyancing conveyancer on the on the bank panel.

Is it necessary to pay for insurance to address the risk of chancel repairs when acquiring a house in Seaham?

Unless a previous purchase of the house took place post 12 October 2013 you can expect solicitors delivering conveyancing in Seaham to remain encouraging a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.

I own a leasehold flat in Seaham. Conveyancing and HSBC Bank mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1998. The conveyancing practitioner in Seaham who previously acted has now retired. What should I do?

The first thing you should do is contact the Land Registry to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. There is no need to instruct a Seaham conveyancing lawyer to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. You should note that regardless, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

I invested in buying a 1st floor flat in Seaham, conveyancing formalities finalised April 2012. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Comparable properties in Seaham with over 90 years remaining are worth £260,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £45 charged once a year. The lease expires on 21st October 2098

With just 74 years unexpired the likely cost is going to range between £8,600 and £9,800 plus professional fees.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. You should not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action based on this information without first getting professional advice.