My stepmother pointed out to me me that in purchasing a property in Alston there may be a number of restrictions limiting what one can do in terms of external alterations to the property. Is this right?

There are a number of properties in Alston which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to perform external alterations. Part of the conveyancing in Alston should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

Does a directory service exist listing HSBC panel conveyancers in Alston on the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Website?

No. There is no such directory service on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. A small selection of mortgage companies make their panel listings open the public online. If you are looking for a Alston lawyer on the HSBC please make the most of our tool.

I had a mortgage agreed in principle with RBS. Alston conveyancing practitioners are appointed. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from RBS?

Some lenders take longer than others. Have RBS done the survey? Have you informed RBS as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the RBS conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.

I used Wolstenholmes a few years ago for my conveyancing in Alston. I now require my file but cannot find the solicitor. What do I do?

You should call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Alston of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously used, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and found one round the corner in Alston I like with open areas and railway links in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 61 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Alston in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?

If you require a mortgage the shortness of the lease may be problematic. Reduce the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you may request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.

I'm refinancing my primary home to a buy to let loan with Santander and intend to use the remaining equity as a down payment on a second house. The area we are interested in is Alston. Will your conveyancers be able to act for both sets of banks and tie in the transactions?

Make use of our search tool on this site to be sure that the lawyers are approved by both mortgage companies. Assuming that they are the solicitor should be able to simultaneously deal with the two conveyancing matters but you should have a chat with you conveyancer and communicate your expectations and needs.

Is it the case that all Alston law firms on every lender conveyancing panel?

You can use our search tool or you can go into your local lender branch in Alston. Chances are that they will be in a position to recommend some approved conveyancing solicitors in Alston