We are a couple about to sign contracts for a garden flat in Newton Abbot. We have hit a problem. The mortgage offer with Platform Home Loans Ltd expires on 20/9/2024 but the owners are putting forward a completion date of 24/9/2024. Can one prolong the mortgage offer?

The best person to address this question is your conveyancer who will hopefully calculate whether they corresponding with the mortgage company, seller’s conveyancers, estate agents or indeed all parties given the history of your house move as of today.

In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Newton Abbot? Why is this being asked of me?

Newton Abbot conveyancing solicitors and indeed property lawyers accross the UK have an obligation under Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules to verify the ID of any client in order to satisfy themselves that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients are required to produce two forms of certified identification; proof of identity (usually a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (usually a Utility Bill no older than three months).

Proof of source of funds is also necessary under the money laundering statutes as lawyers are required to check that the funds you are utilising to purchase a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the full purchase monies where you are a cash purchaser) has originated from a reputable source (such as employment savings) rather than the fruits of criminal behaviour.

I have a decision in principle. The bank mentioned the loan came with free conveyancing. Does this mean I have to appoint their panel conveyancer as I would prefer to use a Newton Abbot based conveyancing firm?

Do check but the chances are that appoint one of their panel conveyancers if you take up the "fee-free" incentive. Contact the mortgage company and check if they offer you a cash alternative. It is not unheard for a lender to give a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case that money can go towards your preferred conveyancing solicitor in Newton Abbot.

A friend suggested that where I am purchasing in Newton Abbot I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

A search of this type is occasionally included in the estimate for your Newton Abbot conveyancing searches. It is a large report of about 40 pages, listing and detailing significant information about Newton Abbot around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime details, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information concerning Newton Abbot.

Our estate agent has suggested using their lawyer for my conveyancing in Newton Abbot - Is it not simpler easier to just instruct them?

This is not necessarily the case and you are entitled to opt for whichever property lawyer you prefer for your Newton Abbot home move. The lawyer recommended by an estate agent may not always be the best conveyancer, they may recommend their own conveyancing firm who are based far away. In this instance you may not have contact with your lawyer and due to the lack of continuity in the transaction, it may be difficult to obtain updates.