I am purchasing a leasehold flat in Wokingham. My Conveyancer has never been on on the bank approved panel. Can I still retain my Wokingham conveyancing solicitor even though they are excluded from the lender approved list?

You must instruct a solicitor to complete the legal work required if you require a mortgage to buy your property. They will carry out all the appropriate investigations on the property, make sure that you’re properly registered as the owner and ensure that all the necessary mortgage paperwork is dealt with. You can instruct a Wokingham conveyancer of your choosing. Nevertheless, where the lawyer selected is not on the lender approved list further costs will be incurred as separate legal representation will be need by the mortgage company. Bank panel applications can be submitted, so if your solicitor has not previously sought membership they should do so.

My wife and I are only a couple days away from an exchange on a house in Wokingham and my parents have transferred the exchange deposit to my conveyancing practitioner. I am now told that as the deposit has been sent from someone other than me my conveyancer needs to make a notification to my lender. Apparently, in also acting for the mortgage company he must advise them that the balance of the purchase price is not just from me. I advised the bank regarding my parents' contribution when I applied for the home loan, so is it really appropriate for this now to hold matters up?

The conveyancing practitioner is duty bound to check with mortgage company to ensure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only disclose this to your mortgage company if you permit them to, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.

I purchased a freehold house in Wokingham but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Wokingham and has limited impact for conveyancing in Wokingham but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges have existed for many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of fresh rentcharges post 1977.

Old rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence after 2037 will be dispensed with completely.

My brother has suggested that I instruct his lawyers for conveyancing in Wokingham. Do I follow his advice?

There are no two ways about it the ideal way to choose a conveyancing practitioner is to get referrals from friends or family who have actually experience in using the solicitor that you are contemplating using.

My mother and father are encountering difficulties in finding their Wokingham property on the HMLR site. They recall that 50 years ago when they acquired the property there were complications concerning Wokingham not being identified on some systems.

Almost all residences in Wokingham should appear. Have you limited your search to simply the postcode. Usually it should reveal all the residences within that postcode. Where registered it will show up with a title number. If they bought sixty years ago it's conceivable it may be unregistered. The address might still be revealed but with the title number shown 'na'. In this scenario you will need to locate the original title papers which may be with your parent’s lender.