Can the conveyancing solicitors listed on your site handle conveyancing in Dorset by way of an attended exchange?
We do have a number of conveyancing specialists who can conduct one day exchanges. You should call us to secure a fee calculation and details as to dates.
The Dorset conveyancing solicitors that I appointed last week on my purchase in Dorset have without warning closed. They were on acting for me because I needed a solicitor on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel and my previous Dorset lawyer was not. I paid them money in advance. What are my options?
Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then inform them immediately so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to the problems encountered. Most sellers would be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You should appoint new lawyers that are on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money, it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new solicitors should be in a position to help.
A relative advised me that where I am purchasing in Dorset I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?
This is a search is usually quoted for as part of the standard Dorset conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out significant information about Dorset around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Dorset Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime details, Dorset Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data about Dorset.
I decided to have a survey completed on a house in Dorset before appointing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the house. The surveyor has said that some mortgage companies may not issue a mortgage on this type of property.
It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to telephone us we can check via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Dorset. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Dorset especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Dorset.
My father has recommend that I instruct his conveyancers in Dorset. Should I choose my own property lawyer?
No doubt the ideal way to choose a conveyancing solicitor is to get recommendations from friends or family who have previously instructed the conveyancer that you are are thinking of instructing.