I selected a Portland based firm for my conveyancing in Portland yesterday. Reviewing the Terms and Conditions I seewe are liable for costs even if the sale doesn't happen. Should I go with them or choose an internet firm who offer no-sale-no-fee conveyancing in Portland?

It is usually ‘give and take’ in that if "No Completion No Fee" is advertised then the fee levels will generally be more expensive to neutralise those conveyances that do not proceed. Dont forget that these schemes generally do not cover expenses for instance Portland conveyancing search expenses.

Have just purchased a repossessed house at auction in Portland. Conveyancing is required. What happens now?

Having exchanged you must find a conveyancing lawyer quickly as you are faced with a fast approaching a fixed date to complete the property. Every auction property will ordinarily have an associated auction pack. This will likely include most,if not all of the documents that your lawyer will need. If you have purchased leasehold premises the auction papers may provide a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and other conveyancing documentation specific to leasehold premises. You should hand this to your appointed conveyancing solicitor at the earliest opportunity. You also need to ensure that your finances are in place to complete the transaction on the set completion date.

Is it the case that all Portland solicitor firms on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel are regulated by the SRA?

As solicitors, in order to be on the Virgin Money approved list of solicitors they would need to be overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Some mortgage companies do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be governed by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

I am expecting a AIP from Yorkshire BS this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Yorkshire BS recommend any Portland solicitors on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer?

You will need to appoint Portland solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Yorkshire BS through the process.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Portland is the location of the property. Can you offer any guidance?

Flying freeholds in Portland are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Portland you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Portland may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.

I am on look out for some leasehold conveyancing in Portland. Before I get started I would like to find out the remaining lease term.

Assuming the lease is recorded at the land registry - and most are in Portland - then the leasehold title will always include the basic details of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title. For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.

Portland Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Queries before Purchasing

How long is the Lease? It would be prudent to find out as much as possible about the managing agents as they can either make life much easier or problematic. As the owner of a leasehold property you will be in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to every day issues such as the tidiness of the communal areas. Ask other people what they think of their service. On a final note, find out the dates that the service charges are due to the appropriate party and precisely what you get for your money. Please note that where the lease has no more than 80 years it will affect the value of the apartment. Check with your bank that they are willing to lend given the lease term. Leases with fewer than 80 years remaining means that you will most likely have to extend the lease sooner rather than later and it is worth finding out how much this would cost. For most Portlandlease extensions you will be be obliged to have been the owner of the property for two years in order to be eligible to carry out a lease extension.

Is it the case that all Portland property lawyers on every lender conveyancing panel?

You can use our search tool or you can go into your local lender branch in Portland. the probability is that they can recommend conveyancing solicitors in Portland