My partner and I intend to remortgage our flat in Blackwall with Kent Reliance. We have a son approaching twenty who lives with us. Our solicitor has asked us to disclose any adults other than ourselves who lives in the flat. The solicitor has now sent a form for our son to sign, waiving any legal rights in the event that the property is repossessed. I have a couple of concerns (1) Is this form unique to the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel as he did not need to sign this form when we remortgaged 4 years ago (2) In signing this form is our son in any way compromising his right to inherit the property?

On the face of it your lawyer has done nothing wrong as it is established procedure for any occupier who is aged 17 or over to sign the necessary Consent Form, which is purely to state that any rights he has in the property are postponed and secondary to Kent Reliance. This is solely used to protect Kent Reliance if the property were re-possessed so that in such circumstances, your son would be legally obliged to leave. It does not impact your son’s right to inherit the apartment. Please note that if your son were to inherit and the mortgage in favour of Kent Reliance had not been discharged, he would be liable to take over the loan or pay it off, but other than that, there is nothing stopping him from keeping the property in accordance with your will or the rules of intestacy.

Do lawyers ask for an advanced payment for conveyancing in Blackwall?

If you are buying a property in Blackwall your lawyer will ask you put them with funds to cover the the cost of the conveyancing searches. Normally this is called for to cover the fees of the conveyancing searches. If any down payment is payable against the total price then this will be needed immediately before contracts are exchanged. Any further balance that is needed should be sent to your lawyer shortly before completion.

is it true that all Blackwall solicitor firms on the Barclays conveyancing panel are governed by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?

As solicitors, in order to be on the Barclays conveyancing panel they would need to be governed by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Some mortgage companies do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such organisation would be regulated by the CLC.

We previously chose conveyancers located in Blackwall on the Bank of Ireland solicitor approved list. They have just billed me a supplemental fee for the legal aspects of the Bank of Ireland mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee specified by Bank of Ireland?

As unfair as it may seem, as long as it’s in their Terms and Conditions or estimate then yes your lawyer is entitled to levy a fee for this. The charge is not set by Bank of Ireland but by your Blackwall property lawyer. Plenty of firms on the Bank of Ireland panel will charge ’dealing with mortgage’ fee and others do not.

I am expecting a AIP from Skipton this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Skipton recommend any Blackwall solicitors on the Skipton conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?

You will need to appoint Blackwall solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Skipton conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Skipton through the process.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build flat in Blackwall. Conveyancing is necessary evil 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 conveyancing.

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

The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. Please supply a car parking plan.

I am looking to sell my property. My former conveyancers has retired. It would be helpful to have a recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in Blackwall if that affects matters.

You should use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Blackwall. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with lender approved solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs with a minimum of fuss.