We just had an offer accepted to purchase with Earl Shilton BS. I called into a couple of local practices but cant to find a Dorset conveyancing firm on the Earl Shilton BS approved list. Could you help?

You should make the most of the find a lender approved solicitor tool on this site. Please choose the lender and type Dorset or your preferred area and you will see numerous solicitors based in Dorset or near you.

It has been four months since my purchase conveyancing in Dorset concluded. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £200,000 when infact I paid £160,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the premises from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

How does conveyancing in Dorset differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Dorset approach us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is completed. This is because developers in Dorset usually purchase the land, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Dorset or who has acted in the same development.

As co-executor for the estate of my aunt I am selling a property in Swansea but I am based in Dorset. My conveyancer (based 300 miles from mehas requested that I execute a statutory declaration prior to the transaction finalising. Can you recommend a conveyancing practitioner in Dorset to witness this legal document for me?

strictly speaking you are not likely to need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily or notary public or qualified solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are Dorset based

Last February I purchased a leasehold property in Dorset. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before my ownership?

Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Dorset Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

The answer will be helpful as a) areas can result in problems for the building as the communal areas may start to deteriorate if maintenance are not paid for b) if the leaseholders have an issue with the running of the building you will need to have complete disclosure The best form of lease structure is where the freehold title is in the ownership of the leaseholders. In this arrangement the lessees enjoy control and notwithstanding that a managing agent is often employed where the building is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent is directed by the tenants. What restrictions are contained in the Dorset Lease?