Our lawyer has discovered a defect with the lease for the flat we are buying in Southbourne. The other side have suggested defective title insurance as a workaround. We are happy with insurance and will cover the costs. Our conveyancer has advised that he must ensure that the bank is willing to move forward with this solution. Who is the client here, us or the lender?

The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the risk of a conflict of interest, you and the lender are the client. Your conveyancer must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook provisions. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects with the lease so that the lender can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.

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

You will need to appoint Southbourne 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.

The formalities of my purchase has taken place for my property in Southbourne. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?

All lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Department at head office. Ordinarily complaints to a lender are sorted out very quickly. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.

At last I have had an offer on a maisonette in Southbourne agreed to, the vendors do however have an associated purchase. The sellers have placed an offer on somewhere, however it’s not yet agreed to, and are looking at other properties booked. I have selected a nearby conveyancing solicitor in Southbourne. What do I do now? At what stage do I apply for the mortgage with Coventry BS?

It is understandable to have anxieties where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket too early (home loan application is approx one thousand pounds, then survey, Southbourne conveyancing search costs, etc). First, you must ensure that your conveyancer is on the Coventry BS approved list. As to the next steps this very much depends on the uniqueness of your transaction, motivation for the property and on the state of the market. In a buoyant market the majority of purchasers would apply for the mortgage with Coventry BS and arrange for the valuation and only if it was satisfactory would they request their property lawyer to press on with the conveyancing in Southbourne.

Hoping to buy a property located in Southbourne and I am already nervous. I couldn't find anything specific about Southbourne. Conveyancing will be needed in due course but do you know about the Southbourne area? or perhaps some other tips you can share?

Rather than looking online forget looking online you should go and have a look at Southbourne. In the meantime here are some basic statistics that we found

We are a couple of weeks into a leasehold purchase having been referred to a firm by the estate agent to handle our conveyancing in Southbourne. I am not happy. Could you you assist me in finding new conveyancers?

They would have to be really poor in order to consider diss instructing them. Has the loan offer been sent? In the event that it has you need to make them aware of the new contact details and get the mortgage documents are issued to the new lawyers. Your new solicitor ideally needs to be on the mortgage company approved list to avoid escalating costs and delays. So that should be your first question of the new lawyers. The find a solicitor tool will assist you in finding a lender approved solicitor for your home move in Southbourne

I am in the process of purchasing my first property in Southbourne. Conveyancing lawyer has been selected. The mortgage adviser pointed out that a survey is not necessary as the house was only constructed 22 years ago.

You would be well advised to undertake a Home Buyer's Report. As the premises is more than ten years old the property will not come with a warranty, so you would be well advised not to take a risk. Where a property of this age shows no signs of problems a Home Buyer's report may suffice. The report should highlight any apparent issues and recommend additional investigation where relevant. Where there are any signs of material issues obtain a comprehensive structural survey.