It is a dozen years since I acquired my home in New Waltham. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been appointed on the sale but I am unable to track down the title deeds. Will this cause complications?

You need not be too concerned. Firstly the deeds may be kept by your mortgage company or they may be in the possession of the lawyers who oversaw the purchase. Secondly the chances are that the title will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you own the property by your conveyancing lawyers obtaining up to date copy of the land registers. Almost all conveyancing in New Waltham relates to registered property but in the unlikely event that your property is unregistered it is more tricky but is resolvable.

Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in New Waltham. My lender is Virgin

Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 30/12/2025, the requirements read as follows :

How does conveyancing in New Waltham differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in New Waltham approach us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because new home sellers in New Waltham typically purchase the real estate, 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 property lawyers 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 used to new build conveyancing in New Waltham or who has acted in the same development.

My husband and I are novice buyers - agreed a price, yet the selling agent told us that the owners will only proceed if we use their preferred lawyers as they want a ‘quick sale’. We would rather use a local conveyancer accustomed to conveyancing in New Waltham

It is unlikely the sellers are driving this. If they want ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a motivated buyer is going to damage their objectives. Speak to the owners direct and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to progress, with finances arranged © you are chain free (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)however you intend to use your own,trusted New Waltham conveyancing solicitors - rather thanthe ones that will give their estate agent a kickback or achieve conveyancing thresholds pre-set by corporate headquarters.

I have read on a number of online forums that when selecting a conveyancing solicitors they need approved by your bank. I am novice purchaser but I have an offer in principle from Santander and I already have a family conveyancing solicitor in New Waltham lined up. Can Virgin Money require an approved conveyancer to be used? If so, where do I find that list so I can appoint a conveyancing solicitor in New Waltham?

You should choose a solicitor that is on the Virgin Money panel. Just ring your preferred New Waltham conveyancing lawyer and ask if they are on the Virgin Money panel. If they are not approved you have a couple of alternatives open to you here:

• Carry on with your chosen New Waltham property lawyer but Virgin Money will need to retain a conveyancer on their approved panel. This will result in additional cost and likely interruption.
• Appoint a new conveyancer to act in the purchase, ensuring that they are on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel.
• Convince your lawyer to do everything possible to get accepted on the Virgin Money panel of solicitors.