I was referred a conveyancer who has sent a quote for just over a thousand pound for freehold conveyancing in Battle. I am selling a Edwardian property for £200,000. Are these estimated fees excessive? Is it above what I should be paying for conveyancing in Battle?

The charges are a bit high. If you shop around you could get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by say £100 plus VAT. That being said, you maycome to rue choosing an an untested solicitor. Remember to enquire that the conveyancer can represent your mortgage company. You can use our comparison tool to choose a Battle conveyancing firm on the banks member panel which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Battle.

The property market in Battle is heating up. What can be done to speed up the conveyancing process?

In the event that you are under time constraints for your conveyancing it is advisable to make sure that your solicitor is familiar with the area as they will benefit local contacts and know-how. It is even conceivable that they may have handled otherhomes in the same road. Therefore consider using a Battle conveyancing solicitor. In addition, make sure that the lawyer is on the lender panel. It is said that just under twenty per cent of Battle conveyancing transactions are suspended or jeopardised after finding out that a buyer’s solicitor was not on their mortgage lender’s list of approved solicitors. This can often result in the legal transfer of property being held up by an average of 21 days. It is said that this issue affects in the region of 100,000 home sales every year. Many Battle conveyancing practices can not represent certain banks so do check at the outset.

There are plenty of conveyancing solicitors in Battle but how do I know who I should use?

It would be unwise to be seduced by the cheapest Battle conveyancing quote. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

Forgive me if this question is silly but I am unexperienced as a first time purchaser of a two bedroom flat in Battle. Do I receive the keys to the property on the completion date from my lawyer? If so, I will find a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Battle?

There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will transfer the completion advance to the vendor’s solicitors, and once they have received this, you should be able to collect the keys from the selling Agents and move into your new home. This tends to happen early afternoon.

I am selling my apartment. I had a double glazing fitted in August 2010, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My buyer's mortgage company, Coventry BS are being difficult. The Battle solicitor who is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel is saying indemnity insurance will be fine but Coventry BS are insisting on a building regulation certificate. Why do Coventry BS have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?

It is probably the case that Coventry BS have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Coventry BS 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.

About to purchase a new build apartment in Battle. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Here are examples of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Battle

Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose? Please supply a car parking plan. The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal.

I am looking for a conveyancing solicitor in Battle for my sale. Can I review a solicitor's complaints history with the profession’s regulator?

You can review documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions arising from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find information Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA sometimes recorded telephone calls for training requirements.