It is 10 years ago since I purchased my home in Dartmouth. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been instructed on the sale but I am unable to find the deeds. Is this a major issue?

You need not be too concerned. First there is a chance that the deeds will be with your mortgage company or they may be in the possession of the conveyancers who handled the purchase. Secondly in most cases the title will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you are the registered owner by your conveyancing solicitors acquiring up to date copy of the land registers. Almost all conveyancing in Dartmouth relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your property is unregistered it is more tricky but is not insurmountable.

Forgive me if this question is silly but I am unexperienced as FTB of a garden flat in Dartmouth. Do I receive the keys to the house on the completion date from my lawyer? If so, I will use a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Dartmouth?

There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Conveyancing lawyers for you will arrange to send the completion advance to the seller's lawyers, and once they have received this, you should be called to pick up the keys from the Estate Agents and move into your new home. This tends to happen early afternoon.

Does a directory service exist listing Yorkshire BS panel conveyancers in Dartmouth on the Council of Mortgage Lender’s Website?

No. There is no such directory service on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association sites. Very few lending institutions make their panel listings open the public online. Where you are looking for a Dartmouth conveyancing practitioner on the Yorkshire BS please use our facility.

The formalities of my purchase has taken place for my property in Dartmouth. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How do I make a complaint?

All lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Team at head office. Ordinarily complaints to a lender are resolved effectively and efficiently. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.

I am buying a new build flat in Dartmouth. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build conveyancing.

Set out below is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Dartmouth

Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. 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. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier?

If all goes to plan we aim to complete the disposal of our £175,000 apartment in Dartmouth on Wednesday in a week. The managing agents has quoted £348 for Certificate of Compliance, insurance certificate and previous years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge such fees for a leasehold conveyance in Dartmouth?

Dartmouth conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes more often than not requires the buyer’s conveyancer submitting questions for the landlord to address. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to address such questions most will be content to assist. They are entitled to levy a reasonable charge for answering enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average costs for the paperwork that you are referring to is £350, in some cases it is above £800. The administration charge required by the landlord must be accompanied by a summary of entitlements and obligations in respect of administration charges, otherwise the invoice is not strictly payable. Reality however dictates that you have no choice but to pay whatever is requested of you should you wish to exchange contracts with the buyer.

Dartmouth Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments? Who takes responsibility for maintaining and repairing the block? Where a Dartmouth lease has less than 80 years it will affect the salability of the flat. It is worth checking with your lender that they are willing to lend given the lease term. A short lease means that you will probably require a lease extension sooner rather than later and you need to have some idea of what this would cost. For most Dartmouthlease extensions you would need to own the residence for a couple of years in order to be entitled to extend the lease.

I have appointed a Dartmouth conveyancing solicitor for our home move (first time buyers) and have spotted in the Ts and Cs that they are not covered by the FCA. Should I be worried or is that usually the case with lawyer?

We can't see why they should be. Most lawyer don't lend money. You should check that they are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, who have strict laws in relation to monies held in their bank.