I am need of leasehold conveyancing for an apartment in a fairly new development (6 years built) in Stocksfield. Almost all the flats have already been occupied. Is it really necessary to order local searches as part of conveyancing in Stocksfield?

Conveyancing Searches are a critical link in the Stocksfield conveyancing process. There are a large number of companies who offer Stocksfield conveyancing searches, as well straight from the local authority. These are known collectively as personal search organisation and they produce, not surprisingly, personal searches. However, all Local Authority Search conveyancing products have one thing in common - they must obtain their data from the local authority.

My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Stocksfield. I I am struggling to find out whether they are on the Skipton Building Society approved list of lawyers. Could you advise?

The first thing you should do is contact your solicitor and ask them whether they are on the lender panel. Otherwise you should call Skipton Building Society who may be able to assist.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Stocksfield is the location of the property. Can you offer any guidance?

Flying freeholds in Stocksfield 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 Stocksfield 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 Stocksfield may ascertain 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.

Am I better off to use a Stocksfield conveyancing practitioner in close proximity to the house I am buying? I have an old university friend who can conduct the legal formalities but his firm is located 400kilometers drive away.

The primary upside of using a local Stocksfield conveyancing firm is that you can pop in to sign documents, present your ID and pester them where appropriate. Having local Stocksfield know how is a bonus. However it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If you know people who used your friend and the majority were happy that should surpass using an unfamiliar Stocksfield conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being local.

My lawyers in Stocksfield have advised me that they can not locate my conveyancing file. At the time of my purchase I took out a mortgage with the bank. Is it case that being on the mortgage company conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a prescribed period?

Different lenders have different requirements but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the mortgage company Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting the mortgage company directly.