We're in Exton, First time buyers purchasing with a mortgage (lender is Yorkshire BS , and our lawyer is on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no solicitor should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

I used Action Conveyancing several years past for my conveyancing in Exton. Now, I need my documents but the law firm has closed. What do I do?

You should call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Exton of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously instructed, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

Do I need to be concerned that brokers that I am dealing with are suggesting a web based conveyancing firm as opposed to a High Street Exton conveyancing company?

As with many professional services, often suggestions from connections can be worth their weight in gold. Nevertheless there are numerous people with a vested interest in a conveyancing deal; estate agents, mortgage brokers and lenders might all put forward lawyers to appoint. On occasion these lawyers might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but sometimes there might be a commercial relationship behind the recommendation. You have the right to choose your preferred conveyancer. You need to be aware that many lenders specify a panel list of lawyers you must use for the lender aspect of your conveyancing.

I need to appoint a conveyancing solicitor for freehold conveyancing in Exton. I happened to land on a site which appears to be the perfect answer If it is possible to get all the legals done via phone that would be preferable. Do I need to be wary? What are the potential pitfalls?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

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

If you are instructing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Exton conveyancing practice) it is most important that he or she should 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 prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions could be of use:

What volume of lease extensions has the firm carried out in Exton in the last 12 months? If they are not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?

Exton Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Queries before buying

Does the lease contain onerous restrictions? The answer will be helpful as a) areas may cause problems for the block as the communal areas may begin to deteriorate if maintenance remain unpaid b) if the leaseholders have an issue with the managing agents you will need to have complete disclosure Please note if it is fewer than 80 years it will impact the value of the property. It is worth checking with your mortgage company that they are willing to to proceed given the lease term. Leases with less than 80 years remaining means that you will almost definitely have to extend the lease sooner rather than later and it is worth finding out what this will be. Remember, in most cases you would be required to have owned the property for 24 months in order to be legally able to carry out a lease extension.