We are looking to buy a house and need a conveyancing solicitor in Paignton who is on the Principality approved panel. Can you recommend a local conveyancing firm?

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

I have a decision in principle. The bank mentioned the mortgage came with free conveyancing. Does this mean I have to appoint their panel conveyancer as I would much rather appoint a high street conveyancing solicitor in Paignton?

Do check but the chances are that allocate you one of their panel conveyancers if you take up the "fee-free" deal. Speak to the mortgage company and explore if they allow a cash alternative. Some banks have previously offered a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case that money can go towards your preferred conveyancing solicitor near Paignton.

My wife and I have a semi-detached Georgian house in Paignton. Conveyancing lawyer represented me and Bank of Scotland. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold under the exact same address. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Paignton and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with lenders. You can also enquire as to the situation with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the purchase.

How does conveyancing in Paignton differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Paignton contact us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because new home sellers in Paignton tend to purchase the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Paignton or who has acted in the same development.

I’m about to sell my garden flat in Paignton. Conveyancing has not commenced, however I have just received a yearly service charge invoice – what should I do?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should discharge the service charge as usual given that all ground rent and maintenance charges should be apportioned as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

Paignton Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should consider Prior to buying

It is important to be aware whether changing the roof or some other major work is due in the foreseeable future to be shared by the leasehold owners and will dramatically increase the the service charges or require a one off payment. Can you inform me if there are any major works on the horizon that will increase the service fees?