When researching moneysavingexpert.com for a recommended lawyer in Southmead, most advise that I should use a CQS accredited solicitor. Can you explain what CQS is?

The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the recognised kitemark for legal experts in buying or selling property, trusted by some of the UK's leading mortgage companies. In 2011-12 the Conveyancing Quality Scheme was officially recognised by the Legal Ombudsman. The scheme does not cover licenced conveyancers. Southmead is one of the many areas in England and Wales where there are CQS solicitors.

Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to our property are lost. The solicitors who did the conveyancing in Southmead 5 years ago are no longer around. Will I be able to sell the house?

Gone are the days when you need to have the physical deeds to evidence that you are the owner of your registered land or property, given that the Land Registry have everything they need in a digital format.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build apartment in Southmead. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Set out below are examples of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Southmead

Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier?

I have been pointed in your direction by a few estate agents in Southmead to get a quote from a solicitor on your site. What’s the financial inducement for Estate Agents to recommend your site rather than alternative conveyancing organisations?

We don’t make any referral fee for pointing buyers and sellers to this site. We found it would be just too difficult a fee because members of the public would think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.

Am I better off to appoint a Southmead conveyancing solicitor who is local to the property I am hoping to buy? An old friend can execute the legal work however her office is 200miles drive away.

The primary upside of using a high street Southmead conveyancing firm is that you can pop in to execute paperwork, deliver your identification documents and apply pressure on them if necessary. They will also have local knowledge which is a benefit. That being said nothing is more important than finding someone that will do a good and efficient job. If you know people who used your friend and in the main were impressed that should surpass using an unknown Southmead conveyancing lawyer just because they are local.