It is a dozen years since I purchased my property in Gerrards Cross. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been appointed on the sale but I am unable to find my title documents. Is this a major issue?

You need not be too concerned. Firstly the deeds may be with your lender or they could be in the possession of the lawyers who handled the purchase. Secondly in most cases the property will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors acquiring up to date copy of the land registers. The vast majority of conveyancing in Gerrards Cross involves registered property but in the unlikely event that your home is unregistered it is more problematic but is not insurmountable.

My wife and I purchasing a 3 bedroom semi in Gerrards Cross. Our aim is to an extension at the rear at the property.Will legal investigations on the property involve enquiries to see if these alterations were previously refused?

Your solicitor will review the registered title as conveyancing in Gerrards Cross will occasionally identify restrictions in the title deeds which restrict certain changes or need the permission of another owner. Some works require local authority planning consent and approval under the building regulations. Some locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. It would be wise to check these things with a surveyor before you commit yourself to a purchase.

My wife and I are at the point of viewing houses in Gerrards Cross and I am about to put in an offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I am planning to take a home loan with UBS.

You should start obtaining conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their details on to the estate agent. As you are seeking a mortgage with UBS, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the UBS conveyancing panel.

Completion of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Gerrards Cross. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I would like to complain about the lender. How does one go about formally complaining?

All banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Team at head office. In most cases complaints to a lender are sorted out very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.

About to purchase a new build apartment in Gerrards Cross. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Gerrards Cross

The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Please supply evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared.

I am a couple of weeks into a leasehold purchase having been referred to solicitors by the selling agent to execute conveyancing in Gerrards Cross. We are not happy. Can you you assist me in finding new solicitors?

They would need to be really bad to suggest diss instructing them. Has your mortgage offer been generated? If so you must make them aware of the new contact details and get the mortgage documents are re-sent. The solicitor ideally needs to be on the banks panel to avoid escalating expenses and frustration. That should be your first question of the new lawyers. Our find a solicitor tool will help you find a lender approved conveyancer for your home move in Gerrards Cross

I am due to review estimates for conveyancing in Gerrards Cross from three lawyer and choose one. Do I instruct them to sit tight until I a suitable house to buy.

You should wait to get your lawyer to commence work and submit searches after the offer has been accepted on the property particularly as Gerrards Cross conveyancing searches are a couple of hundred pounds.