My husband and I are refinancing our maisonette in Great Harwood with Nationwide. We have a son 18 who lives at home. Our solicitor has asked us to disclose any adults other than ourselves who lives in the flat. Our lawyer has now e-mailed a document for our son to sign, waiving any legal rights in the event that the flat is forfeited by the lender. I have a couple of concerns (1) Is this document specific to the Nationwide conveyancing panel as he never had to sign this form when we purchased 5 years ago (2) Does our son by signing this giving up his entitlement to inherit the property?

First, rest assured that your Nationwide conveyancing panel solicitor is doing the right thing as it is established procedure for any occupier who is aged 17 or over to sign the necessary Consent Form, which is purely to state that any rights he has in the property are postponed and secondary to Nationwide. This is solely used to protect Nationwide if the property were re-possessed so that in such circumstances, your son would be legally obliged to leave. It does not impact your son’s right to inherit the apartment. Please note that if your son were to inherit and the mortgage in favour of Nationwide had not been discharged, he would be liable to take over the loan or pay it off, but other than that, there is nothing stopping him from keeping the property in accordance with your will or the rules of intestacy.

How does conveyancing in Great Harwood differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Great Harwood come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is finished. This is because house builders in Great Harwood usually buy the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Great Harwood or who has acted in the same development.

I am looking to sell my property. My past conveyancers has retired. I am in need of a recommendation of a conveyancing firm. I happen to live in Great Harwood if that makes things easier.

You should use our search tool to help you find a solicitor for your conveyancing in Great Harwood. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with lender approved solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move goes with a minimum of fuss.

I need to instruct a conveyancing practitioner in Great Harwood for my home move. Is there any facility to see a solicitor's complaints history with the legal regulator?

You can see presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor telephone calls for training purposes.

I today plan to offer on a house that appears to meet my requirements, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have just found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a leasehold house in Great Harwood. Conveyancing lawyers have are soon to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Great Harwood are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Great Harwood so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Great Harwood conveyancing practitioner and check that they have experience in advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions such as requiring the landlord’spermission to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the estate where the house is part of an estate. Your conveyancer should report to you on the legal implications.