My solicitor has uncovered a defect with the lease for the flat we are buying in Duxford. The seller’s lawyers have suggested title insurance as a workaround. We are content with insurance and will pay for it. Our conveyancer says that he must check that the lender is willing to move forward with this solution. Who is the client here, us or the bank?

Notwithstanding that you have a mortgage offer from the mortgage company does not mean to say that the property will meet their requirements for the purposes of a mortgage. Your lawyer has to ensure that the lease has to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook provisions. You and the mortgage company are the client. These conveyancing instructions have to be complied with.

How up to date is your search tool for Duxford conveyancing solicitors on the Co-operative conveyancing panel? Do Co-operative send you an updated list?

Duxford conveyancing firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Co-operative conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Co-operative directly.

I am purchasing a terraced house in Duxford. How practical is it for me to do the conveyancing?

Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Duxford you will have to appoint a solicitor on your bank's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Duxford.

Should our lawyer be asking questions regarding flooding during the conveyancing in Duxford.

Flooding is a growing risk for lawyers carrying out conveyancing in Duxford. Some people will acquire a property in Duxford, fully aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical destruction, if a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, suitable insurance cover, or sell the premises. There are steps that can be taken as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the buyer.

Solicitors are not best placed to give advice on flood risk, however there are a numerous searches that can be carried out by the purchaser or on a buyer’s behalf which can give them a better appreciation of the risks in Duxford. The standard information sent to a buyer’s solicitor (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) includes a standard question of the owner to discover whether the property has ever been flooded. If flooding has previously occurred which is not disclosed by the seller, then a buyer could issue a compensation claim resulting from an incorrect response. The purchaser’s solicitors may also conduct an environmental report. This will indicate whether there is a recorded flood risk. If so, further investigations will need to be conducted.

As co-executor for the estate of my grandfather I am disposing of a residence in Monmouth but I am based in Duxford. My conveyancer (who is 250 miles awayneeds me to sign a statutory declaration ahead of the transaction finalising. Can you recommend a conveyancing lawyer in Duxford who can witness this legal document for me?

Technically speaking you are unlikely to need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally or notary public or solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are Duxford based