I went with a local solicitor for our conveyancing in Otford yesterday. Reviewing the terms of engagement it is apparent thatwe are responsible for charges even if the sale aborts. Would I be best advised to instruct a web based firm promising no completion no charge conveyancing in Otford?

Generally there is a compromise along the lines that if "No Sale No Fee" is available then the fee levels will generally be higher to neutralise those transactions that abort. Also remember that these schemes generally do not protect you from expenditure such your Otford conveyancing search expenses.

I am in the process of refinancing my house in Otford, does my lawyer need to be on the Lloyds Conveyancing panel?

There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor, but Lloyds will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is greater potential for delays and confusion with two solicitors involved, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.

I am close to exchanging contracts on the sale of our property in Otford and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a risk of it being constructed on contaminated land. Any local conveyancer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the buyers instructed a nationwide conveyancing outfit rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Otford. We have lived in Otford for 5 years we know that this is a non issue. Should we get in touch with our local Authority to seek clarification that the buyers are looking for.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm currently acting for you. What do they say? You should enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same ailment)

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified as part of conveyancing in Otford?

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Otford. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

Is it true that a Otford conveyancing company got sued by a client for failing to conduct the right conveyancing investigations?

Our attention has not be brought to such a Otford conveyancing claim but it has been reported that, clients acquiring a property elsewhere in England successfully sued their property lawyer as a consequence of development plans to erect a wind farm not being picked up in conveyancing searches.

If you are contemplating buying a home in Otford It is critical that your conveyancer purchase all Otford conveyancing searches required to ensure you have accurate and up to date information before buying a property.