I need some quick conveyancing in County Durham as I have an ultimatum to exchange contracts in less than 2 weeks. Fortunately I do not require a mortgage. Is it possible to avoid the conveyancing searches to save fees and time?

If.Given you are are a cash purchaser you are at liberty not to have searches conducted although no lawyer would suggest that you don't. With plenty of history conveyancing in County Durham the following are instances of issues that can appear and adversely impact future saleability: Enforcement Notices, Outstanding Charges, Overdue Grants, Unadopted Roads,...

I used Arc property Solicitors several years past for my conveyancing in County Durham. I now require my papers but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?

Do contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate 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 County Durham of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously used, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

How does conveyancing in County Durham differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build property in County Durham contact us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because developers in County Durham tend to purchase the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in County Durham or who has acted in the same development.

My husband and I are new on the property ladder - had an offer accepted, yet the selling agent advised that the owners will only issue a contract if we use the agent's preferred lawyers as they want an ‘expedited deal’. Our preferred option is to instruct a local conveyancer accustomed to conveyancing in County Durham

We suspect that the owner is unaware of this ultimatum. Should the owner desire ‘a quick sale', alienating a serious buyer is going to damage their objectives. Try to communicate with the owners directly and explain that (a)you are serious buyers (b)you are ready to progress, with mortgage lined up © you are chain free (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)however you are going to instruct your own,trusted County Durham conveyancing lawyers - rather thanthose that will earn the estate agent a kickback or achieve conveyancing targets demanded by corporate headquarters.

I today plan to offer on a house that appears to be perfect, at a great figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have since found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in County Durham. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in County Durham are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area who can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in County Durham so you should seriously consider looking for a County Durham conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions such as obtaining the freeholder’spermission to conduct changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the house is part of an estate. Your solicitor should report to you on the legal implications.

County Durham Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

Who is in charge of the building? The best form of lease structure is if the freehold reversion is owned by the leaseholders. In this arrangement the tenants benefit from being in charge if their destiny and although a managing agent is frequently employed where the building is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves.