Finally the sale completed on my house in Coombe Dingle last January yet the purchaser is telephoning every few hours to moan that his lawyer is waiting to hear from mysolicitor. What should my lawyer have done now that I have sold?

Following your sale your lawyer should send the transfer documentation and all additional paperwork to the buyer’s lawyers. Depending on the transaction, your conveyancer must also confirm that the mortgage has been paid off to the buyers lawyers. There is unlikely to be post completion formalities unique to conveyancing in Coombe Dingle.

In looking at online forums for a conveyancing lawyer in Coombe Dingle, many post that I must instruct a CQS assured lawyer. Can you explain what CQS is?

The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the recognised kitemark for legal experts in the legal transfer of properties, trusted by some of the UK's major banks. Four years ago the Conveyancing Quality Scheme was officially recognised by the Legal Ombudsman. CQS is not a scheme offered by the Council of Licensed Conveyancing. Coombe Dingle is one of the numerous areas in England and Wales where there are CQS lawyers.

I have been told that property searches are the number one cause of stalling in Coombe Dingle conveyancing transactions. Is that correct?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) has noted the determinations of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the most frequent causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are unlikely to feature in any delay in conveyancing in Coombe Dingle.

I purchased a semi-detached Edwardian house in Coombe Dingle. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and TSB. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are a couple of entries: the first freehold, another for leasehold under the exact same property. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

You need to read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Coombe Dingle and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also enquire as to the situation with your conveyancing solicitor who carried out the work.

I am buying a new build apartment in Coombe Dingle. Conveyancing is a frightening process 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.

Set out below is a sample of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Coombe Dingle

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. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? 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 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.