It is 10 years ago since I acquired my property in Gerrards Cross. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been appointed on the sale but I am unable to find the deeds. Is this a problem?

You need not be too concerned. First the deeds may be retained by your mortgage company or they could be in the possession of the conveyancers who oversaw your purchase. Secondly the chances are that the title will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you are the registered owner by your conveyancing solicitors obtaining current official copies of the land registers. Almost all conveyancing in Gerrards Cross involves registered property but in the rare situation where your property is unregistered it is more tricky but is not insurmountable.

My bid for a property was accepted at auction in Gerrards Cross. Conveyancing is needed. What are my next steps?

Having exchanged you will need to appoint a conveyancing lawyer soon as you are facing a fast approaching deadline in which to complete the property. All auction property should have a bespoke auction pack. This should include evidence of title and search results. In the case of leasehold premises the legal pack should contain a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and other conveyancing paperwork relating to leasehold premises. You need to give this to the conveyancer instructed by you at the earliest opportunity. You also need to ensure that that you have the requisite funding in order to complete on the date specified in the contract.

Are all Gerrards Cross Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel?

It is true that some banks and building societies now utilise CQS as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS accreditation however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitor practices wishing to remain on their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.

My offer was accepted on an apartment in Gerrards Cross on 14/8/2023, valuation was booked five days later, received a clean bill of health. Conveyancer instructed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Nationwide and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Nationwide conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?

A lender would not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Nationwide to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Nationwide conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

I opted to have a survey carried out on a property in Gerrards Cross prior to retaining conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the house. Our surveyor advised that some mortgage companies may not issue a loan on such a house.

It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different requirements from Nationwide. If you contact us we can check with the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Gerrards Cross. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Gerrards Cross especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Gerrards Cross.

My uncle has recommend that I use his conveyancing solicitors in Gerrards Cross. Should I choose my own conveyancer?

There are no two ways about it the best way to find a conveyancing lawyer is to have referrals from friends or relatives who have used the conveyancer that you are considering.

My cousin is buying a basement flat in Gerrards Cross. He was given a quote by the property lawyer connected to the selling agents totaling £1385 . It was eight years ago I sold and purchased a home and it cost was £495. Have costs really gone up that much?

What does the conveyancing estimate include? Is it just for the legal fees, or what you will be paying in total (for instance Gerrards Cross searches, land registry fees, etc)