The property market in Newcastle upon Tyne is heating up. What can I do to speed up matters?

In the event that you are under time constraints to exchange it is highly recommended that your solicitor is familiar with the area as they will have local relationships and knowledge. It is possible that they may have transacted previoushouses in the same road. Therefore consider using a Newcastle upon Tyne conveyancing lawyer. Second, be sure that the lawyer is on the lender panel. It is claimed that nearly one in five of Newcastle upon Tyne conveyancing transactions are delayed or jeopardised after finding out that a purchaser’s solicitor was not on their banks member panel. In many cases this discovery resulted in the legal transfer of property being delayed by almost 21 days. It is believed that this issue affects approximately 100,000 home sales annually. Most Newcastle upon Tyne conveyancing practices can not act for certain lenders so do check as early as possible.

We hope to to purchase with Coventry BS. I went into 3 or 4 local companies yet am unable to find a Newcastle upon Tyne conveyancing firm on the Coventry BS panel. Can you help?

You should take advantage of the search tool on this page. Please choose the mortgage company and type Newcastle upon Tyne or your preferred area and you will see a number of lawyer offices in Newcastle upon Tyne or near you.

Will our solicitor be making enquiries regarding flooding as part of the conveyancing in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for solicitors specialising in conveyancing in Newcastle upon Tyne. There are those who acquire a house in Newcastle upon Tyne, completely aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, leaving to one side the physical damage, where a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, satisfactory building insurance, or dispose of the premises. Steps can be carried out as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the buyer.

Conveyancers are not qualified to impart advice on flood risk, however there are a numerous searches that can be undertaken by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which will give them a better understanding of the risks in Newcastle upon Tyne. The standard completed inquiry forms supplied to a buyer’s conveyancer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) includes a standard question of the vendor to discover if the premises has ever been flooded. If flooding has previously occurred which is not notified by the owner, then a buyer could issue a claim for damages resulting from an incorrect answer. The purchaser’s conveyancers will also carry out an enviro report. This will indicate if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, further inquiries should be initiated.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build apartment in Newcastle upon Tyne. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Newcastle upon Tyne

Please supply a car parking plan. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease.

My father-in-law has suggested that I appoint his conveyancing solicitors in Newcastle upon Tyne. Should I find my own property lawyer?

No doubt it’s preferable to choose a conveyancing practitioner is to get recommendations from friends or family who have experience in using the solicitor you're considering.