I have given 8 weeks notice to my current landlord and have to vacate my let out flat in Lancashire by 2/12/2025. Conveyancing for my house purchase is progressing. Is it possible to complete in 4 weeks as I wish to avoid having to find temporary accommodation?

The normal practice is not to provide notice on a rental until you have exchanged. If you have not already done so, update to your conveyancer and request that they apply pressure on the owners side, try to an acceptable time-line that all parties will aim to achieve

Are the Lancashire conveyancing solicitors identified as being on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by Kent Reliance?

Lancashire conveyancing firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Kent Reliance directly.

I'm buying my first flat in Lancashire with a loan from Coventry Building Society. The developers refused to budge the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The house builders rep told me not inform my solicitor about this extras as it could impact my loan with the bank. Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

My father-in-law has suggested that I instruct his lawyers for conveyancing in Lancashire. Should I use them?

No doubt the ideal way to select a conveyancing practitioner is to seek feedback from friends or family who have actually previously instructed the solicitor you're are thinking of instructing.

New build sellers have suggested I use a lawyer and I've sought a quote from them. It's nearly three hundred pounds cheaper than my own Lancashire lawyer. What's the catch?

Builders normally have lists of conveyancers who expedite matters and who know the seller’s documentation and conveyancer. As many developers offer an inducement to choose their approved conveyancing practitioner for this reason, any increased charges can be avoided and a builder will not suggest a conveyancing warehouse and run the risk of having the transaction stall when they demand an exchange within a tight deadline. A counter-argument for not agreeing to use the recommended property lawyer is that they may prove hesitant to 'push' your interests at the risk of upsetting the housebuilder. Where you have concerns that this may be the case you should remain with your high street Lancashire conveyancer.