I can't travel far from Sutton on Trent. I would like to know the reason why all Sutton on Trent lawyers aren't automatically on all mortgage company panels?

Mortgage companies highlight the fact that solicitor-led fraud is thought to be responsible for millions of pounds of fraud annually.The dismissal of law firms from lender panels started with the rise in mortgage fraud, which prompted a thematic review by the Financial Services Authority in 2011. Its outcome included recommendations for lending institutions to review their conveyancing panels, which kicked off a major policy change in the sector. This led to mortgage companies purging less reputable firms off their official list of approved conveyancing practitioners .

Me and my partner are purchasing our first property. Our lawyer has contact usto check if we would like to order supplemental conveyancing searches. We are really unsure what's recommended for conveyancing in Sutton on Trent

The number and type of Sutton on Trent conveyancing searches depends primarily on the property, the location, the possibility of any of these risks, your familiarity of the locality and risks, your overall approach to risk. What is important is that you adequately understand what information each search could supply. You may then make a decision if you consider that you need that search. Should you be uncertain, ask the solicitor to recommend.

My house in Sutton on Trent is up for sale and I have accepted an offer. Does my property lawyer need to be required to be on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel in order to deal with paying off my mortgage?

Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. It might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently in recent years.

My step-father has suggested that I use his conveyancing solicitors in Sutton on Trent. Should I find my own conveyancer?

There are no two ways about it the best way to choose a conveyancing lawyer is to have referrals from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor that you are are thinking of instructing.

I've recently bought a leasehold house in Sutton on Trent. Am I liable to pay service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

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. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure 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).

Sutton on Trent Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should consider before buying

How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their service charge payments? How is the lease structured? Many Sutton on Trent leasehold apartments will incur a service bill for maintenance of the building set by the management company. Where you purchase the property you will have to meet this contribution, normally periodically throughout the year. This may be anything from two or three hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for blocks with lifts and large common areas. In all probability there will be a ground rent to be met yearly, ordinarily this is not a significant amount, say approximately £25-£75 but you should to check as occasionally it can be many hundreds of pounds.