I am obtaining a mortgage offer from Halifax. My intention is to retain the legal services of a Licensed Conveyancer in Chertsey. Does the Halifax Solicitor panel allow for conveyancers regulated by the CLC?

The Halifax conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders, represented by the Council or Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the CLC.

My husband and I are buying a newbuild apartment in Chertsey with a loan from Chelsea Building Society.We use our Chertsey conveyancing lawyer but Chelsea Building Society says her practice is not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct a Chelsea Building Society panel lawyer or keep our preferred solicitor and fork out for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?

Unfortunately,no. The home loan issued to you contains various provisions, a common one being that conveyancers needs to be on the Chelsea Building Society conveyancing panel. Until recently, most mortgage companies had large numbers of solicitors on their panels: a borrower could find 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. A further alternative is for your lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Chelsea Building Society

Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my home can not be found. The lawyers who conducted the conveyancing in Chertsey 4 years ago no longer exist. Will I be able to sell the house?

You no longer need to have the physical deeds to establish that you are the owner of your registered land or premises, as the Land Registry hold details of all registered land or property electronically.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build flat in Chertsey. Conveyancing is daunting 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 legal work.

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

Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose?

Due to the input of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Chertsey prior to appointing lawyers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. My surveyor advised that some mortgage companies tend not grant a loan on this type of house.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different requirements from Nationwide. Should you wish to telephone us we can check via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Chertsey. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Chertsey to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.