I am thinking of remortgaging my apartment in Plymouth, does my lawyer have to be on the Conveyancing panel?

There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor, but will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is much more potential for delays and confusion with an additional lawyer added to the mix, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.

I bought my flat on 13 January and the transaction details is not yet registered. Should I be concerned? My conveyancing solicitor in Plymouth said it would be concluded in less than a month. Are transfers in Plymouth uniquely lengthy to register?

There is nothing unique about conveyancing in Plymouth registration formalities. Rather than based on location, timeframes can adjust subject to the party submitting the application, whether there are errors and if the Land registry communicate with any interested parties. Currently in the region of 80% of submission are fully dealt with within two weeks but occasionally there can be longer hold-ups. Registration is effected once the new owner is living at the premises therefore an expedited registration is not always primary concern but where there is a degree of urgency associated with the registration then you or your lawyers should speak with the land registry and explain the circumstances.

I decided to have a survey carried out on a house in Plymouth prior to appointing conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the house. Our surveyor has said that some mortgage companies will not grant a loan on such a house.

It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different instructions from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to telephone us we can look into this further via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Plymouth. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Plymouth especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Plymouth.

I am looking for a conveyancing practitioner in Plymouth for my house move. Can I see a solicitor's complaints history with the legal regulator?

Anyone can read documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find details Pre 2008, or to check a firm's record, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes recorded telephone calls for training purposes.

Why can't I complete our conveyancing in Plymouth on May bank holiday?

This is due to the fact that on completion the money will pass between the banks of the purchaser and owner’s and at present this can only take place on a working day. So you can't complete on a saturday or sunday either.