I have given 8 weeks notice to my current landlord and have to be out of my rented property in Exton by the end of next month. Conveyancing for my house purchase is progressing. How realistic is it to complete in a couple of weeks as don't want to have to move into temporary accommodation?

It is unwise to give notice for your letting unless your lawyer suggests that you should. If you have not previously done so, speak to your solicitor and ask them to they seek the assistance the owners lawyers, try to a target completion date that all parties will work to achieve

Having spent time looking at mumsnet.com for a cheap solicitor in Exton, most post that I must look for a CQS accredited lawyer. Can you explain what CQS is?

The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) provides a kitemark for residential conveyancing practices issued by the Law Society. Membership achievement establishes a level of credibility for member firms with stakeholders (regulators, lenders, insurers and consumers) based upon: * the integrity of the senior responsible officer and other key conveyancing staff * the firm's adherence to good practice management standards * compliance with prudent and efficient conveyancing processes via the scheme protocol Membership covers many partnerships who conduct conveyancing in Exton.

A relative advised me that if I am purchasing in Exton I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

A search of this type is usually quoted for as part of the standard Exton conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing significant information about Exton around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Exton Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Exton Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information about Exton.

I'm purchasing a new build house in Exton with a loan from Coventry Building Society. The builders would not move on the amount so I negotiated £7000 of fixtures and fittings instead. The house builders rep told me not inform my lawyer about the deal as it may put at risk my loan with the lender. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

What are your top tips when it comes to finding a Exton conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Exton conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you speak with several firms including non Exton conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be useful:

What are the charges for lease extension conveyancing? How familiar is the firm with lease extension legislation?

Exton Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Queries before Purchasing

Can you inform me if there are any major works in the near future that will increase the service costs? On the whole the outlay for major works are not built into the maintenance charges, albeit that a few managing agents in Exton require leasehold owners to contribute towards a sinking fund created for the specific purpose of building a fund for major repairs or maintenance. It is important to be aware whether window replacement or some other significant cost is pending to be shared by the tenants and will dramatically impact the level of the service costs or necessitate a specific payment.