When scouring online forums for a conveyancing solicitor in Heathfield, most advise that I should use a CQS kitemarked solicitor. Can you explain what CQS is?

Heathfield Conveyancing Quality Scheme solicitors have been granted certification under the Law Society's Scheme (CQS) The Law Society established CQS to establish evidence of quality standards in the home moving process. CQS helps house movers to recognise practices who provide a quality residential conveyancing. Heathfield is one of locations in England and Wales in which accredited firms are based. The scheme requires solicitors to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self-certification, spot checks and yearly assessments 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 Association of British Insurers.

I have a terraced Victorian property in Heathfield. Conveyancing practitioner represented me and The Mortgage Works. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold under the matching address. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

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 owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Heathfield and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with lenders. You can also check the position with your conveyancing lawyer who completed the work.

I opted to have a survey done on a house in Heathfield in advance of retaining lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. The surveyor has said that some mortgage companies will not give a loan on a flying freehold premises.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different instructions from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to telephone us we can check with the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Heathfield. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Heathfield especially if they are familiar with such properties in Heathfield.

In searching the web for the words conveyancing in Heathfield it shows results of many property lawyerslocally. With so much choice what is the best way to find the right solicitor for me?

The best way of choosing the right conveyancer is via trusted referral, so ask colleagues and family who have bought a property in Heathfield or a local estate agent or mortgage broker. Charges for conveyancing in Heathfield vary, so it's advisable to obtain a minimum of four estimates from varying types of solicitors. Dont forget to clarify that the costs are assured not to rise.

We have chosen a Heathfield conveyancing solicitor for our house purchase (first time buyers) and have spotted in the terms and conditions that they are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Should I be worried or is that standard with lawyer?

We can't see why they should be. Most lawyer don't lend money. They should be regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, who have stringent stipulations regulating funds sitting by them.