My brother and I have recently bought a house in Ashbourne. We have noticed several issues with the property which we consider were overlooked in the conveyancing searches. Is there anything we can do? Can you clarify the type of searches that should have been conducted as part of conveyancing in Ashbourne?

The query is vague as what problems have arisen and if they are unique to conveyancing in Ashbourne. Conveyancing searches and due diligence initiated during the legal transfer of property are carried out to help avoid problems. As part of the process, the vendor fills in a document referred to as a SPIF. If the information ends up being misleading, then you may have a claim against the seller for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Ashbourne.

I am assisting my aunt sell her house in Ashbourne. Does the solicitor commission the EPC or it is for the seller to see to?

After the demise of HIPs, energy performance certificates was kept a compulsory element of moving property. An energy performance certificate needs to be to hand in advance of the property being advertised. This is not something that law firms normally organise. Where you are using a Ashbourne conveyancing practitioner they might help arrange energy assessments given their contacts with long established Ashbourne accredited person

I am due to exchange contracts on my flat. I had a double glazing fitted in December 2007, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My buyer's mortgage company, Nottingham are being difficult. The Ashbourne solicitor who is on the Nottingham conveyancing panel is happy to accept ‘lack of building regulation’ insurance but Nottingham are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do Nottingham have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?

It is probably the case that Nottingham have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Nottingham may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing was correctly and safely installed. The indemnity insurance merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.

My offer on a property in Ashbourne has been agreed to, but there is a chain. The owners have offered on somewhere, however it’s not yet agreed to, and are looking at other apartments in the pipeline. I have instructed a bricks and mortar conveyancing solicitor in Ashbourne. What should be my next step? When do I get the mortgage application with UBS going?

It is normal to have apprehensions where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket too early (home loan application is approx one thousand pounds, then survey, Ashbourne conveyancing search costs, etc). The first course of action is to check that your solicitor is on the UBS conveyancing panel. Concerning the next steps this very much depends on the uniqueness of your case, motivation for the property and on the state of the market. During a hot market many purchasers will apply for a home loan with UBS and pay for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they request their conveyancer to press on with the conveyancing in Ashbourne.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Ashbourne?

Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Ashbourne. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

Is it best to use a Ashbourne conveyancing lawyer based in the area that I am hoping to buy? We have a good friend who can carry out the legal work however his firm is located 300kilometers away.

The primary upside of using a local Ashbourne conveyancing firm is that you can visit the firm to sign paperwork, hand in your identification documents and apply pressure on them if necessary. Having local Ashbourne know how is a benefit. That being said it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If other friends have used your friend and in the main were content that should trump using an unknown Ashbourne conveyancing solicitor just because they are round the corner.

I need to find a bank panel solicitor in Ashbourne. Can you assist?

Unfortunately it’s not apparent why you need a Ashbourne panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to the mortgage company to find out which solicitors in Ashbourne are on their panel . If you do find such a firm in Ashbourne not listed please direct them to our site to list. At a fee of one pound per month it is not expensive to register on the site