After reviewing consumer advice sites for a cheap lawyer in Harpenden, many post that I should look for a CQS assured solicitor. What is CQS?

Harpenden Conveyancing Quality Scheme practices have obtained certification by the law Society The Law Society established CQS to promote high standards in the home moving process. CQS helps buyers and sellers to identify solicitor firms that provide a quality residential conveyancing. Harpenden is one of the many areas in England and Wales in which accredited firms have offices. The scheme requires solicitors to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self-reporting, spot checks and annual reviews in order to maintain CQS status. It is open only to members of the Law Society who meet the demanding standards set by the scheme and has the support of the Legal Ombudsman.

My wife and I are purchasing a flat in Harpenden. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a lawyer? On the day of competition we will need to deposit funds into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our deposit?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

I have paid off my mortgage with RBS. I assume I don't need a Harpenden solicitor on the RBS panel to discharge the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm.

If you have finished paying off your RBS mortgage, they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the RBS mortgage from the register. RBS, and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:

1. but are not moving to another property
2. where RBS has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
3. RBS has instructed the Land Registry to do so

I have instructed a Harpenden solicitor having checked that they are on the Skipton conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?

Skipton will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Skipton will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your solicitor will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Harpenden postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Skipton, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Harpenden.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up as part of conveyancing in Harpenden?

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Harpenden. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build flat in Harpenden. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Set out below are examples of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Harpenden

Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared. 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. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. Please supply a car parking plan.

I need to appoint a conveyancing solicitor for some conveyancing in Harpenden. I've land on a site which seems to have the perfect offering If there is a chance to get all the legals completed via web that would be ideal. Should I be concerned? What should out be looking out for?

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?