I can't travel far from Taunton. I would like to know the reason why all Taunton conveyancers are not on all mortgage company panels?

As inequitable as it may seem for banks to restrict who can represent them, from the public’s or lawyer’s point of view, the other side of the coin is that banks are increasingly anxious and feel it necessary to shield themselves against illegal activities. As a result of this concern banks have reduced their conveyancing panel to a size that they are happy to control.

I do hope you can help me. My Taunton solicitor is informing me me that he is legally obliged toconduct Taunton conveyancing searches due to the fact thatthe firm are on the Nat Westapproved lawyer panel. Is this really necessary?

Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. Given that you are taking out a loan with a lender your solicitor has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your solicitor would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of your bank’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook provisions . Even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out Taunton conveyancing searches.

We're in Taunton, First time buyers buying with a mortgage (lender is Skipton , and our lawyer is on the Skipton conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the Skipton conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancing practitioner should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

My friend suggested that if I am buying in Taunton I should ask my conveyancer to perform a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

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

Just had an offer accepted on a new build flat in Taunton. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Set out below is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Taunton

Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose? Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? Please provide evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision.