We are expecting a mortgage offer soon. The lender mentioned the mortgage came with free conveyancing. Is the implication that I have to use their panel solicitor as I would prefer to use a high street conveyancing solicitor in March?

You should check but the chances are that appoint one of their panel solicitors if you accept the "fee-free" incentive. Speak to the bank and see if they offer you a monetary alternative. It is not unheard for a lender to give a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case you could put that amount towards your preferred conveyancing solicitor near March.

I require quick conveyancing in March as I am faced with a deadline to sign on the dotted line within 2 weeks. Luckily I do not need a mortgage. Is it possible to decline from having conveyancing searches to save money and time?

If.Given you are are a cash buyer you have the choice not to do searches although no lawyer would advise that you don't. Drawing on our experience of conveyancing in March the following are examples of issues that can appear and adversely affect market value: Refused Planning Applications, Overdue Charges, Outstanding Grants, Unadopted Roads,...

Given that I am about to part with £400,000 on a garden flat in March I wish to talk to a solicitor concerning thehouse move prior to instructing the firm. Is this something that you can arrange?

Absolutely - we would be pleased to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you first talking to the lawyer who will be doing your property ownership legalities in March.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is an important individual, not a file reference. The law firms that we put you in touch with believe that the fees you are calculated and presented to you for residential conveyancing in March should be the amount on the final invoice that you end up paying.

Completion is due on the sale of our £275,000 apartment in March next week. The landlords agents has quoted £300 for Landlord’s certificate, building insurance schedule and 3 years statements of service charge. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge an administration fee for a flat conveyance in March?

March conveyancing on leasehold apartments normally requires the purchaser’s conveyancer submitting questions for the landlord to address. Although the landlord is not legally bound to address these enquiries the majority will be content to do so. They may invoice a reasonable charge for responding to questions or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average costs for the paperwork that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some transactions it is in excess of £800. The management information fee levied by the landlord must be accompanied by a summary of rights and obligations in respect of administration charges, otherwise the invoice is not strictly payable. In reality you have no choice but to pay whatever is demanded if you want to complete the sale of your home.

I am the registered owner of a basement flat in March, conveyancing was carried out 5 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? Similar properties in March with a long lease are worth £186,000. The ground rent is £55 charged once a year. The lease terminates on 21st October 2071

With 52 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to span between £29,500 and £34,000 plus legals.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more detailed investigations. Do not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other issues that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

What are my options where I am not happy with the property lawyer who conducted my conveyancing in March?

Occasionally the level of service you receive is not as you expect, and unfortunately every so often things do go wrong. That being said there is recourse if you were dissatisfied with your conveyancing in March. This varies from trying to resolve matters directly with them, through to reporting a lawyer to their governing body. If you remain unhappy you may consider enlisting the help of the Legal Ombudsman.