We are nearing an exchange on a flat in Ditchling and my parents have sent the ten percent deposit to my solicitor. I am now informed that as the deposit has not arrived from me my conveyancer needs to disclose this to my bank. I am advised that, in also acting for the bank he must inform them that the balance of the purchase price is not just from me. I advised the mortgage company about my parents' contribution when I applied for the home loan, so is it really appropriate for him to raise this?

The solicitor is legally required to check with the bank to ensure that they understand that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only report this to your mortgage company if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.

Is there a search tool that I can utilise to investigate if the solicitor conducting my conveyancing in Ditchling is on the bank’sconveyancing panel? I am looking to avoid the situation of having one lawyer for me and one for Leeds Building Society thus paying £175.00 in additional conveyancing bill.

Feel free to make the most of the search tool on this web page. Please choose the lender and type ‘Ditchling’ or your preferred area and you will discover numerous solicitors based in Ditchling or near you.

Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Ditchling prior to appointing conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. My surveyor has said that some banks may not issue a loan on a flying freehold house.

It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different requirements for example to Birmingham Midshires. If you call us we can check via the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Ditchling. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Ditchling especially if they are familiar with such properties in Ditchling.

I’m about to sell my basement apartment in Ditchling. Conveyancing has not commenced, but I have recently had a half-yearly maintenance charge demand – what should I do?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should discharge the service charge as usual because all rents and service charges should be allotted as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

I own a 1st floor flat in Ditchling, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. Can you shed any light on how much the price could be for a 90 year extension to my lease? Comparable properties in Ditchling with a long lease are worth £195,000. The ground rent is £45 yearly. The lease ceases on 21st October 2088

With just 63 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to range between £16,200 and £18,600 plus legals.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to provide a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed investigations. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional issues that need to be considered and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward based on this information without first getting professional advice.

My wife and I have instructed a Ditchling conveyancing solicitor for our home move (novice purchasers) and have spotted in the engagement letter that they are not overseen by the FCA. Should I be concerned or is that standard with conveyancing practitioner?

We can't see why they should be. Most conveyancer don't lend money. They will be regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, who set specific obligations covering amounts held on client account.