Having been referred to your service we were going to go ahead with a conveyancing solicitor in Oxford recommended using your comparison tool but have come across alternative costs illustrations on the internet seem cheaper – why is this?

There are plenty of conveyancing outfits marketing theoretically looks to be very low prices. We suggest that you think long and hard as to how important this transaction is to you that want to be penny wise pound foolish with regard to the standard of the conveyancing. Many of them list a low fee to grab your attention but plant supplemental charges in the small print..

In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Oxford? What am I being asked for?

In order to comply with Money Laundering Regulations any Oxford conveyancing firm will require proof of identity in all conveyancing matters. This is normally satisfied by provision of a passport and an original bank statement or utility account showing where you live.

Under Money Laundering Regulations, conveyancers are obliged by law to ascertain not simply the ID of conveyancing clients but also the source of fund that they receive in respect of any matter. An unwillingness to disclose this will result in your conveyancer ending their retainer with you, as clearly this will cause a conflict between the set Regulations and a refusal to disclose.

Your conveyancers are duty bound to notify the relevant authorities should they consider that any monies received by them may contravene the Money Laundering Regulations.

We are expecting a mortgage offer soon. The bank mentioned the home loan came with free conveyancing. Is the implication that I have to appoint their panel solicitor as I would prefer to appoint a local conveyancing solicitor in Oxford?

You should check but the the likelihood is that allocate you one of their panel conveyancers if you accept the "fee-free" incentive. Speak to the lender and ask if they make available a monetary alternative. Some lenders have previously offered a £250 cashback as a further option in which case you could put that amount towards the cost for your conveyancing solicitor in Oxford.

If you had a top tip for selecting a conveyancing solicitor in Oxford what would it be?

We would encourage you not to go for the cheapest Oxford conveyancing quote. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you know exactly what you’ll have to pay in ahead of time.

I am assisting my aunt sell her house in Oxford. Will the solicitor arrange an energy performance certificate or it is for the seller to see to?

Following the abolition of Home Information Packs, EPC’s was left as a mandatory part of moving property. An EPC needs to be to hand before the property is marketed. This is not something that solicitors ordinarily organise. If you are using a Oxford conveyancing lawyer they might be able to arrange energy performance certificates due to their relationships with long established local providers

I'm spending time looking at flats in Oxford and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it advisable to have a lawyer on ‘stand by’? I intend to finance via a mortgage with Skipton.

You should start obtaining conveyancing estimates from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on to the selling agent. Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Skipton, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Skipton conveyancing panel.

The deeds to our house are lost. The lawyers who did the conveyancing in Oxford 5 years ago no longer exist. What are my options?

Gone are the days when you need to have the physical official documentation to prove you own the land or premises, as the Land Registry have everything they need in a digital format.