The owners of the home we are purchasing have instructed a conveyancing practitioner in Sandbach who has insisted on a preliminary agreement with a payment 6,000. Is it wise to enter into such agreements?

Lock out agreements are agreements binding a property vendor and prospective buyer granting the buyer exclusive rights to purchase the property for a limited period of time. For all intents and purposes, a lock out is a document stating that you will receive a contract at a later time being the main conveyancing contract. It is generally used for buyer protection though in some cases, the vendor may enjoy an upside from such agreements as well. There are many pros and cons to having them but you need to check with your lawyer but beware that it may end up costing you more in conveyancing fees. In light of this these contracts are not popular in relation to conveyancing in Sandbach.

We are buying a purpose built flat in Sandbach with a homeloan from Skipton Building Society.We use our Sandbach conveyancing lawyer but Skipton Building Society informed us his firm is not listed on their "panel". We have to appoint a Skipton Building Society panel lawyer or keep our high street solicitor and fork out for a Skipton Building Society panel lawyer to represent them. We feel as though this is unjust; is there anything we can do?

No, not really. The loan offered to you is subject to its various provisions, a common one being that conveyancers must be on the Skipton Building Society approved list. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of solicitors on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Skipton Building Society

I have recentlybecome aware that Arc property Solicitors have closed. They conducted my conveyancing in Sandbach for a purchase of a leasehold flat 12 months ago. How can I check that the property is registered correctly in the name of the previous owner?

The easiest method to see if the property is in your name, you can make a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Sandbach conveyancing specialists.

I am four weeks into a leasehold purchase having been directed to a firm by the selling agent to do our conveyancing in Sandbach. We are not happy. Could you you assist me in finding new lawyers?

A conveyancer would have to be very bad to suggest replacing them. Has your mortgage been generated? If so you will need to make them aware of the new conveyancer and get the offer are re-sent. Your new solicitor ideally should be on the mortgage company panel to avoid escalating expenses and frustration. That should be your starting point. Our search tool will help you find a bank approved lawyer for your conveyancing in Sandbach

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently found out that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a leasehold house in Sandbach. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been appointed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Sandbach ?

Most houses in Sandbach are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area who can help the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are buying in Sandbach so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Sandbach conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they have experience in advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the freeholder’spermission to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer will advise you fully on all the issues.

Sandbach Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Queries before buying

The answer will be important as a) areas could result in problems in the building as the communal areas may start to deteriorate where repairs remain unpaid b) if the leaseholders have a dispute with the managing agents you will want to have all the details Are there any major works in the near future that will increase the service fees? How is the lease structured?