I am purchasing a right to buy a flat in Bedfordshire. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?

Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Bedfordshire you will have to appoint a solicitor on your lender's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Bedfordshire.

I used Arc property Solicitors several years ago for my conveyancing in Bedfordshire. Now, I need my files however the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?

You should contact 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 Bedfordshire of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

How do I use your search app to choose a conveyancing solicitor in Bedfordshire on the panel for my bank?

Step one is to choose a bank such as Accord Mortgages Ltd, Barnsley Building Society or Bank of Ireland then specify your location a common one being Bedfordshire. Conveyancing practices in Bedfordshire and nationally should be listed.

I am using a search engine for the words cheap conveyancing in Bedfordshire it brings up many conveyancersin the area. How do I determine which is the right conveyancer for me?

The best way of choosing the right conveyancer is via trusted recommendation, so enquire of colleagues and family who have purchased a property in Bedfordshire or the respected estate agent or financial adviser. Costs for conveyancing in Bedfordshire vary, so it's advisable to obtain at least three fee estimates from different law firms. Be sure to seek confirmation that the fees are fixed.

What are your top tips when it comes to finding a Bedfordshire conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Bedfordshire conveyancing practice) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We suggest that you speak with several firms including non Bedfordshire conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be of use:

If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?

Bedfordshire Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Queries before buying

On the whole the cost for major works are not incorporated into the maintenance charges, albeit that some managing agents in Bedfordshire require leasehold owners to pay into a reserve fund created for the specific purpose of establishing a fund for larger works. It would be sensible to investigate if there are any onerous restrictions in the lease. For example plenty of leases prohibit pets being permitted in certain buildings in Bedfordshire. If you love the apartmentin Bedfordshire yet your cat can’t move with you then you have a very hard compromise. The best form of lease structure is if the freehold title is owned by the leaseholders. In this arrangement the leaseholders benefit from control and even though a managing agent is usually retained if the building is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves.