We note that you have a search directory listing law firms on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a referral fee if I instruct them for our own conveyancing in Enfield?

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

This question may be naive but I am wet behind the ears as FTB of a two bedroom flat in Enfield. Do I collect the keys to the house on completion from my lawyer? If this is the case, I will appoint a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Enfield?

On the day of completion you do not need to attend the conveyancers office in Enfield. Your solicitors will electronically transfer the completion advance to the owner’s conveyancers, and once they have received this, you will be able to collect the keys from the property Agents and move into your new home. Usually this occurs early afternoon.

When it comes to lenders such as Nationwide, do Enfield solicitors have to pay a fee to be on the list of approved solicitors?

We are unaware of any lender fees to register on their list of approved firms, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.

I have instructed a Enfield conveyancer having made sure that they are on the HSBC conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?

HSBC will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually HSBC will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your conveyancing practitioner will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Enfield postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with HSBC, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Enfield.

What does a local search tell me about the property I am purchasing in Enfield?

Enfield conveyancing often starts with the ordering local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search organisations such as Onsearch The local search is essential in every Enfield conveyancing purchase; that is if you don’t want any nasty surprises after you move into your new home. The search should provide information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of 13 topic sections.

We're novice buyers - agreed a price, yet the selling agent advised that the seller will only proceed if we appoint the agent's recommended solicitors as they want a ‘quick sale’. Our preferred option is to instruct a high street conveyancer accustomed to conveyancing in Enfield

We suspect that the owner is unaware of this ultimatum. If they require ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a serious purchaser is is going to put the whole deal at risk. Bypass the agents and go straight to the sellers and explain that (a)you are genuine purchasers (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances in place © you have nothing to sell (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)however you are going to instruct your preferred Enfield conveyancing firm - rather thanthe ones that will earn their estate agent a commission or meet his conveyancing targets pre-set by senior management.

I am in the process of buying my first home in Enfield. Conveyancing lawyer has been appointed. The financial consultant pointed out that a survey is not appropriate as the house was only built in 2001.

The bare minimum you need a Home Buyer's Report. Given the residence was built over a decade ago the property will not benefit from a warranty, so you would be well advised not to take a risk. Where a property of this age shows no signs of defects a Home Buyer's report could suffice. They will highlight any obvious problems and recommend further investigation where appropriate. If there are any indications of material issues obtain a comprehensive Building Survey from the beginning.