We are getting closer to an exchange on a house in Dunston and my parents have transferred the exchange deposit to my conveyancing practitioner. I am now told that as the deposit has not arrived from me my lawyer needs to make a notification to my lender. I am advised that, in also acting for the mortgage company he must advise them that the balance of the purchase price is coming from anyone other than me. I disclosed to the lender about my parents' contribution when I applied for the home loan, so is it really necessary for this now to delay the deal?

The conveyancing practitioner is legally required to check with the bank to ensure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own resources. Your solicitor can only report this to your mortgage company if you permit them to, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.

It is a dozen years since I purchased my home in Dunston. Conveyancing lawyers have recently been retained on the sale but I am unable to locate my title documents. Will this jeopardise the sale?

Don’t worry too much. Firstly there is a possibility that the deeds will be with the mortgage company or they may be in the possession of the conveyancers who acted in the purchase. Secondly the chances are that the land will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing lawyers obtaining current official copies of the land registers. Most conveyancing in Dunston relates to registered property but in the unlikely event that your home is unregistered it is more problematic but is not insurmountable.

This question may be naive but I am wet behind the ears as a first time buyer of a two bedroom flat in Dunston. Do I pick up the keys to the property on completion from my lawyer? If so, I will find a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Dunston?

There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Conveyancing lawyers for you will arrange to send the purchase money to the owner’s conveyancers, and once they have received this, you will be able to pick up the keys from the Estate Agents and start moving into the property. Usually this happens early afternoon.

My lawyer has informed me that breach of easement insurance is needed on my purchase. What is the typical level of cover needed for conveyancing in Dunston?

The right level of breach of easement indemnity insurance should be dictated by who your lender. It would differ for example between National Westminster Bank and Barnsley Building Society. Conveyancing lawyers as opposed to members of the public take out such policies.

I am the single recipient of my late mum's will with all property in now in my sole name, including the my former home in Dunston. The Dunston property was put into my name in September. I want to move. I do know about the Mortgage Lenders six month 'rule', which means that my property ownership could be regarded the same way as though I had purchased the property in September. Is the property unsalable for six months?

The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ handbook obliges solicitors to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." Technically you might be affected by that. How sensible a view mortgage companies take of it, depend on the lender as this clause primarily exists to identify the purchase and immediately sell or the quick reselling of properties.

I am downsizing from my home. My former solicitors have shut. I am in need of a recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in Dunston if that makes things easier.

Please use our search tool to help you find a solicitor for your conveyancing in Dunston. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with lender approved solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs with a minimum of fuss.

I only have Fifty years left on my flat in Dunston. I now want to get lease extension but my landlord is absent. What are my options?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you have done all that could be expected to locate the freeholder. For most situations a specialist may be useful to carry out a search and to produce an expert document which can be accepted by the court as evidence that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer in relation to devolving into the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Dunston.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Dunston - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

It would be prudent to find out as much as you can about the managing agents as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. As the proprietor of a leasehold property you are frequently at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to daily matters like the cleanliness of the common parts. You should not be shy to ask other tenants what they think of them. Finally, investigate as to the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the appropriate party and precisely what it includes. What prohibitions exist in the Dunston Lease?