We are planning to acquire a house and need a conveyancing solicitor in Oxted who is on the Nationwide approved panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a 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 Oxted.

In researching online forums for an online solicitor in Oxted, most say that I should look for a CQS accredited solicitor. What is CQS?

The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the recognised kitemark for legal experts in home moving process, trusted by some of the UK's major lenders. Four years ago the Conveyancing Quality Scheme was officially recognised by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The scheme does not cover licenced conveyancers. Oxted is one of the numerous areas in England and Wales where there are Accredited solicitors.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build apartment in Oxted. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

Here are examples of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Oxted

Please provide evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose? Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company?

I opted to have a survey carried out on a house in Oxted prior to retaining conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. Our surveyor advised that some banks tend refuse to give a mortgage on a flying freehold home.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different requirements from Nationwide. Should you wish to telephone us we can look into this further with the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Oxted. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

My 20yr old son is about to join the property ladder, the home loan was agreed last week in principle. When the seller agreed the offer on the apartment we called the bank to progress the mortgage application. I was very surprised to discover that banks do not accept all lawyer, they need to be on their approved list, is this correct?

Lenders ordinarily imposes restrictions either the type or the number of conveyancing solicitors on their approved list of lawyers. Typical examples of such restriction(s) being that a firm must have two or more partners. In addition to restricting the type of firm, some have decided to limit the number of firms they use to represent them. You should note that banks have no responsibility for the quality of advice provided by any Oxted lawyer on their panel. Mortgage fraud was a key driver in the rationalisation of conveyancing panels a few years ago and whilst there are differing views about the extent of solicitor involvement in some of that fraud. Statistics from the Land Registry reveal that thousands of law firms only carry out one or two conveyances a year. Those supporting conveyancing panel cuts ask why law firms should have the right to be on a Lender panel when clearly, conveyancing is not their speciality. To put it another way; would you want a conveyancing solicitor to represent you if you were charged with a crime? Unlikely.