My previous conveyancer has sent a quote for £995 for no completion no fee conveyancing in Battle. I am hoping to downsize from a newly refurbished property for £300,000. Is this too much? Is it in excess of what I should be paying for conveyancing in Battle?

The estimate does seem marginally steep. If you are willing to invest time comparing costs you could get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by perhaps a hundred pounds. That being said, you mightlive to regret opting for an an unknown conveyancer. Don't forget to check the conveyancer can represent your lender. Do make use of our comparison tool to select a Battle conveyancing firm on the lender’s approved list of lawyers which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Battle.

We are hoping to buy a newly converted flat in Battle with a mortgage from Nationwide Building Society.We have a Battle conveyancing lawyer but Nationwide Building Society informed us she’s not listed on their "panel". we are left little option but to use a Nationwide Building Society panel firm or keep our high street solicitor and fork out for one of their panel ones to represent them. We feel as though this is unjust; is there anything we can do?

Unfortunately,no. The loan offered to you contains terms and conditions, one of which will be that solicitors needs to be on the Nationwide Building Society solicitor panel. in the past, most banks had large numbers of solicitors on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Nationwide Building Society

My husband and I are one month into a leasehold purchase having been referred to solicitors by the high street agent to handle our conveyancing in Battle. We are not happy. Could you help me find new conveyancers?

They would need to be really bad in order to consider replacing them. Has the loan offer been sent? In the event that it has you need to advise them of the replacement solicitor and have the offer are re-sent. Your new solicitor ideally should be on the banks panel to avoid added fees and delays. So that should be your starting point. The find a solicitor tool should help you find a bank approved solicitor for your conveyancing in Battle

What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Battle conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Battle conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you talk with two or three firms including non Battle conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions could be helpful:

What are the legal fees for lease extension conveyancing? How experienced is the practice with lease extension legislation?

Battle Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Queries before buying

What restrictions exist in the Battle Lease? Generally speaking the cost for major works tend not to be included within maintenance charges, although there some managing agents in Battle obliged leaseholders to pay into a reserve fund created for the specific purpose of establishing a fund for larger works. Who is in charge of the building?

Why do Battle conveyancing fees differ for leasehold and freehold properties?

When buying a leasehold property there is more work involved purely due to the fact that usually there are further parties involved in the form of the freeholder and/or Management Agents. As part of a lawyers enquiries they will check that all ground rent and service charges are paid up to date amongst other general leasehold matters. For this reason, the Sellers lawyers usually have to refer to the freeholder or Managing Agent for their replies to our questions. This may be time consuming and beyond the lawyers control