We are looking to buy a property and require a conveyancing solicitor in Northumberland who is on the Nationwide conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a local solicitor?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Nationwide . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Northumberland.

Our bank has recommended solicitors on their panel based in Northumberland but I would rather use a conveyancing lawyer in Northumberland or nearer to where I live. Are you able to assist?

The minority of Northumberland conveyancing practices are approved and listed on all lender’s conveyancing panel. Please make the most of the above find an approved solicitor tool to locate a Northumberland conveyancing firm on the on the lender panel.

My brother has recommend that I instruct his lawyers for conveyancing in Northumberland. Should I use them?

There are no two ways about it the best way to choose a conveyancing solicitor is to get feedback from friends or family who have experience in using the firm that you are considering.

We expect to complete the sale of our £350,000 apartment in Northumberland next week. The managing agents has quoted £372 for Landlord’s certificate, building insurance schedule and previous years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge an administration fee for a leasehold conveyance in Northumberland?

Northumberland conveyancing on leasehold apartments typically involves fees being invoiced by freeholders :

Completing pre-exchange questions Where consent is required before sale in Northumberland Copies of the building insurance and schedule Deeds of covenant upon sale Registering of the assignment of the change of lessee after a sale

Your lawyer will have no control over the level of the charges for this information but the average costs for the information for Northumberland leasehold property is £350. For Northumberland conveyancing transactions it is customary for the seller to pay for these costs. The landlord or their agents are under no legal obligation to answer such questions most will be willing to do so - albeit often at exorbitant prices where the fees bear little relation to the work involved. Unfortunately there is no law that requires fixed charges for administrative tasks. Neither is there any legal time frame by which they are required to provide answers.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Northumberland - Examples of Questions you should ask before buying

How is the lease structured? Best to be warned whether fixing the lift or some other significant cost is pending that will be shared by the tenants and will dramatically impact the level of the maintenance charges or result in a one time invoice. The best form of lease arrangement is a share of the freehold. In this situation the tenants have being in charge if their destiny and notwithstanding that a managing agent is often employed if it is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent is directed by the tenants.

We have an offer in principle from Halifax who indicated we could borrow up to £218k. At what point do I need to appoint a solicitor for conveyancing? Northumberland is where we are purchasing.

It would be wise to appoint a lawyer now and ask them to create a file on your behalf. This will kickstart: 1) the estate agent to send out the Sales Memorandum to the relevant parties 2) the seller’s property lawyer to submit the draft paperwork. That being said, do not ask your conveyancing practitioner to order searches until you receive your valuation report from Halifax and you are happy to proceed.