Me and my fiance are buying a 1 bedroom apartment in Newton Aycliffe with a mortgage. We have a Newton Aycliffe conveyancer, however the lender advise she’s not on their "panel". It seems we have little option but to instruct one of the mortgage company panel firms or retain our Newton Aycliffe conveyancing practitioner and pay for one of their panel lawyers to represent them. This seems very unfair; can we not require that the lender use our Newton Aycliffe conveyancing practitioner ?

No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your Newton Aycliffe conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

When can the exchange of contracts happen for residential conveyancing in Newton Aycliffe and do I need to be at the conveyancers branch?

If you are near to our conveyancing solicitors in Newton Aycliffe you are welcome to attend to sign the paperwork. However, the law practices we recommend provide countrywide coverage for conveyancing and provide just as comprehensive and professional a job for you when dealing with you digitally. The executing of the contract is not when everything is set in stone. Signing on the dotted line simply enables the conveyancer to exchange contracts at the suitable time, which will usually be very shortly after signing. The procedure is is usually a five minute process, although where a lengthy "chain" is in play, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Newton Aycliffe)to be in the office at the appropriate time.

I have been recommended a conveyancing solicitor in Newton Aycliffe. I need to find out if they are on the Clydesdale approved list of lawyers. Could you help?

The first thing you should do is call your conveyancer and ask them whether they are on the lender panel. Alternatively you should get in touch with Clydesdale who may be able to confirm.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Newton Aycliffe. Conveyancing and Barclays Direct mortgage organised. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1995. The conveyancing practitioner in Newton Aycliffe who previously acted has now retired. Any advice?

The first thing you should do is make enquiries of HMLR to make sure that this person is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to incur the fees of a Newton Aycliffe conveyancing lawyer to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. You should note that regardless, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

Newton Aycliffe Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should consider Prior to buying

This information is important as a) areas may cause problems for the building as the common areas may begin to deteriorate if maintenance remain unpaid b) if the leasehold owners have a dispute with the running of the building you will wish to have full disclosure What is the name of the managing agents? Where a Newton Aycliffe lease has less than 80 years it will impact the marketability of the apartment. It is worth checking with your bank that they are content with the length of the lease. Leases with less than 80 years remaining means that you will most likely have to extend the lease at some point and you need to have some idea of what this will be. Remember, in most cases you would be required to have been the owner of the property for 24 months before you are entitled to carry out a lease extension.

We are in the process of acquiring a house in Newton Aycliffe. Can our conveyancing practitioner have the amount we are are buying for a secret from the likes of Zoopla. what can I do to make sure this is not noted?

The Land Registry as a matter of law bound to specify price sold information on a register of the title for residential properties nationwide including homes in Newton Aycliffe. The register of title is a public document, so HM Land Registry would be breaking the law excluded specific properties such as the one in Newton Aycliffe.

In essence you can ask HMLR to withhold the amount paid entry but the response would be a No.