We're in Fulwell, FTBs purchasing with a mortgage (lender is , and our lawyer is on the conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no 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.

My wife and I are intent on selling our home in Fulwell and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was built on contaminated land. Any high street Fulwell lawyer would know that there is no such problem. For the life of me I don't know why the buyers instructed a national conveyancing outfit rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Fulwell. Having lived in Fulwell for three years we know of no issue. Is it a good idea to get in touch with our local Authority to obtain confirmation that there is no issue.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing solicitor currently acting for you. Are they able to advise? You need to enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same illness)

My wife and I have a renovated Victorian house in Fulwell. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and . I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the matching address. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?

You need to read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Fulwell and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also check the situation with your conveyancing practitioner who completed the work.

Are there any apps to assist me to locate a Fulwell solicitor on the conveyancing panel? I drive a motor bike and am prepared to travel upto 10miles to meet the conveyancer.

You can use the facility on this page. Please choose the bank and your location and you will see a number of Fulwell conveyancing lawyers locally. We have detailed some Fulwell conveyancing firms at the bottom of this page and you can ring them to verify if they are on the approved list

I have noted on a number of online forums that before choosing a conveyancing solicitors they need approved by your mortgage company. It happens to be my first home move but I have an offer in principle from Birmingham Midhshires and I already have a family conveyancing lawyer in Fulwell at the ready. Can Virgin Money insist on an approved solicitor to be selected? If so, where do I find that list so I can pick a conveyancing solicitor in Fulwell?

You should instruct a solicitor that is on the Virgin Money panel. The first thing to do is ring your chosen Fulwell conveyancing solicitor to check if they are on the Virgin Money panel. If they are not approved you have numerous options open to you here:

• Proceed with your preferred Fulwell but Virgin Money will need to use a on their approved panel. The net impact is additional fees together with likely delay.
• Appoint a fresh to act in the purchase, making sure they are on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel.
• Convince your to pull out all the stops to get accepted on the Virgin Money panel of solicitors.