When researching moneysavingexpert.com for a high-quality lawyer in Arundel, most post that I must instruct a CQS kitemarked solicitor. Can you explain what CQS is?

The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) provides a recognised quality standard for residential conveyancing practices issued by the Law Society. Membership achievement establishes a level of credibility for member firms with stakeholders (regulators, lenders, insurers and consumers) based upon: * the integrity of the senior responsible officer and other key conveyancing staff * the firm's adherence to good practice management standards * compliance with best practice conveyancing processes via the scheme protocol the standard covers many organisations who conduct conveyancing in Arundel.

How does conveyancing in Arundel differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Arundel come to us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because developers in Arundel tend to purchase the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Arundel or who has acted in the same development.

I need to instruct a conveyancing practitioner in Arundel for my house move. Is there any facility to review a solicitor's record with the legal regulator?

Members of the public can search for presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations commenced on or after 1 January 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For information Pre 2008, or to check a firm's record, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may recorded telephone calls for training reasons.

I am hoping to exchange soon on a ground floor flat in Arundel. Conveyancing lawyers inform me that they report fully on Monday. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Arundel should include some of the following:

Who has the liability to repair and maintain the main walls and foundations. It is essential that you know which party is duty bound to repair and maintenance of all parts of the block and communal areas Information as to the provision as set out in the lease to pay service charges - in relation to the building, and the more general rights a leaseholder has Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your premises and do you know what it means in practice? Whether your lease has a provision for a reserve fund? Responsibility for maintaining the window frames

Arundel Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Questions you should consider Prior to buying

Who are the managing agents? How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments? Its a good idea to find out as much as you can about the managing agents as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. As the proprietor of a leasehold property you are often in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to practical matters like the tidiness of the communal areas. Ask other people what they think of them. On a final note, be sure you understand the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the managing agents and specifically what it includes.

I own a leasehold flat in Arundel. Conveyancing was finalised in 2011. I have heard that I should not allow the lease length get too short. What is the reasoning?

Arundel residential long term leases are for a set term - often 99 years when they started. However a significant flats in Arundel were built or converted 20 or more years ago and so these leases now have less than 80 years remaining. This may seem like plenty of time but Banks, Building Societies and other mortgage lenders generally require leases to have at least 75 years left to be mortgageable. Accordingly when you come to sell the property you will need to extend the term of your lease if you are getting close to eighty years. To enhance the saleability of your property you should be thinking about whether to extend your lease long before you come to sell it. There are also significant benefits to doing so before the lease hits eighty years as when the lease is less than 80 years the premium to be paid to extend starts to escalate.