As I am unsure how the conveyancing bit works what is the most important advice you can give me about purchase conveyancing in Chalk Farm?

Not many law firms or advisers will tell you this but conveyancing in Chalk Farm and elsewhere in England and Wales is often a confrontational process. Put another way, when it comes to conveyancing there exists an abundance of opportunity for confrontation between you and others involved in the ownership transfer. For instance, the vendor, estate agent and sometimes your bank. Appointing a lawyer for your conveyancing in Chalk Farm should not be taken lightly as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONE party in the transaction whose responsibility is to act in your legal interests and to keep you safe.

There is a distinct increase of a "blame" culture- someone must be at fault for the process being so protracted. We recommend that you should always trust your solicitor above all other players in the conveyancing process.

I have an AIP. The bank mentioned the loan came with free conveyancing. Does this mean I have to appoint their panel lawyer as I would prefer to appoint a specialised conveyancing solicitor in Chalk Farm?

You should check but the the likelihood is that appoint one of their panel lawyers if you take up the "fee-free" offer. Contact the mortgage company and determine if they make available a cash alternative. In the past a few lenders offered a £250 cashback as a further option in which case that money can go towards the cost for your conveyancing solicitor near Chalk Farm.

When it comes to mortgage companies such as Lloyds, do Chalk Farm conveyancing practitioners incur a fee to be on the conveyancing panel?

We are unaware of any mortgage company fees to register on their panel, although some do charge an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.

Intending to buy a apartment in Chalk Farm. I have received an online quote from a licenced conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.

They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that the Chalk Farm solicitor is on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel.

I've read lots of house buying guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Chalk Farm solicitor - who is on the Principality conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?

Principality will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Principality will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Chalk Farm surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.

Just bought a terraced house in Chalk Farm , how long will it take for the Land Registry to record the transfer to my name? My Chalk Farm conveyancing solicitor works at snail pace, so I want to be certain that my name is registered.

There is nothing unique when it comes to conveyancing in Chalk Farm registration formalities. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timeframes can differ depending on the party submitting the application, whether there are errors and if the Land registry communicate with any interested persons or bodies. As of today in the region of three quarters of submission are fully dealt with within 12 days but some can be subject to extensive delays. Historically registration is effected once the purchaser has moved in to the premises so 'speed' is not usually an essential issue yet if there is a degree of urgency associated with the registration then you or your lawyers should communicate with the Registry to express the reasoning for an expedited registration.

Being a leasehold owner I am on the hook for a service charge for my appartment in Chalk Farm. Due to redundancy and personal issues I slipped into arrears with remittance. I negotiated a clearance schedule but there remains approximately £3000 currently outstanding.

I am under pressure to sell and I am worried this can hold me back if I have to pay off the amount due first. I'd like to sell up and then repay the arrears from the proceeds - is this practicable?

Your conveyancer should be able to negotiate with the management company, with a new to seeing if they would accept settlement from sale proceeds. Here is an example of why it might be good to use a property lawyer in Chalk Farm as they may well have an established relationship with the parties.