I have given 2 months notice to my current landlord and have to leave my rented flat in Berkshire by 5/1/2026. Conveyancing on my purchase is progressing. How realistic is it to complete in 5 weeks as don't want to have to find temporary accommodation?

It is unwise to give notice on a rental unless you have exchanged. If you have not previously done so, contact to your lawyer and request that they chase the other lawyers, try to an agreed time frame that all parties will aim to achieve

When researching consumer advice sites for an affordable solicitor in Berkshire, many say that I must use a CQS accredited lawyer. Can you explain what CQS is?

The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the recognised quality mark for legal experts in buying or selling property, trusted by some of the UK's leading lenders. Four years ago the Conveyancing Quality Scheme was officially recognised by the Legal Ombudsman. The scheme does not cover licenced conveyancers. Berkshire is one of the many areas of the UK where there are CQS lawyers.

I used Stirling Law several years past for my conveyancing in Berkshire. I now require my papers but the law firm has closed. What do I do?

Do 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 Berkshire of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously instructed, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I am purchasing a new build house in Berkshire with a mortgage from National Westminster Bank. The sellers would not budge the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The house builders rep suggested that I not reveal to my conveyancer about the side-deal as it could adversely affect my mortgage with National Westminster Bank. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

We are 18 days into a residential purchase having been recommend to conveyancers by the estate agent to carry out the conveyancing in Berkshire. I am not happy. Can you you assist me in finding new conveyancers?

A lawyer would have to be very poor in order to consider replacing them. Has your loan offer been generated? If so you need to inform them of the new lawyer and have the offer are re-sent. Your new conveyancer should be on the banks approved list to avoid supplemental expenses and complications. So that should be your first question of the new conveyancers. Our search tool can assist you in finding a bank approved solicitor for your home move in Berkshire