We are purchasing a house and need a conveyancing solicitor in Kent who is on the Co-operative conveyancing panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a firm?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Co-operative . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Kent.

We are planning to buy with Loughborough BS. We have called around locally but am unable to find a Kent conveyancing firm on the Loughborough BS panel. Can you help?

Please do make the most of the find a lender approved solicitor tool on this site. Please choose the mortgage company and type Kent or your location and you will discover a number of lawyer based in Kent or by proximity to you.

How does conveyancing in Kent differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Kent come to us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is constructed. This is because builders in Kent typically acquire the site, 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 conveyancers 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Kent or who has acted in the same development.

My husband and I are novice buyers - agreed a price, yet the estate agent informed us that the vendor will only move forward if we appoint the agent's recommended conveyancers as they need a ‘quick sale’. We would rather use a high street conveyancer who is familiar with conveyancing in Kent

It is improbable the sellers are behind this. Should the seller require ‘a quick sale', turning down a genuine buyer is not the way to achieve this. Bypass the agents and go straight to the sellers and make sure they understand (a)you are serious buyers (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances arranged © you are unencumbered (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you are going to appoint your preferred Kent conveyancing firm - as opposed tothose that will provide their estate agent a referral fee or meet his conveyancing thresholds demanded by corporate headquarters.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to appointing a Kent conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Kent conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you make enquires with several firms including non Kent conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions might be of use:

If they are not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?

I acquired a 1st floor flat in Kent, conveyancing having been completed 7 years ago. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Equivalent flats in Kent with an extended lease are worth £227,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 invoiced annually. The lease terminates on 21st October 2097

You have 72 years unexpired the likely cost is going to range between £9,500 and £11,000 plus professional fees.

The figure above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. Do not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt additional issues that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information before getting professional advice.