The sellers of the property we are looking to purchase are using a conveyancing practitioner in Stockton on Tees who has suggested a preliminary contract with a down payment 6,000. Are such agreements sensible?

Exclusivity agreements are contracts binding a home vendor and purchaser granting the buyer the sole right to the sale of the premises for a certain period of time. For all intents and purposes, a lock out agreement is a contract stating that you will have a contract at a later date being the main conveyancing contract. It is generally utilised for buyer protection though in some cases, the owner may enjoy an upside from such agreements as well. There are many positives and negatives to having an agreement but you should to check with your solicitor but note that it may end up incurring extra in conveyancing fees. For this these contracts are avoided in relation to conveyancing in Stockton on Tees.

We had selected solicitors locally in Stockton on Tees on the TSB solicitor approved list. They have just billed me a separate sum for the legal aspects of the TSB mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set by TSB?

Provided it is contained in their Terms of Engagement or estimate then yes your lawyer is entitled to charge a fee for this. The fee is not dictated by TSB but by your Stockton on Tees conveyancer. Plenty of firms on the TSB panel will quote ’dealing with mortgage’ fee and others do not.

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Stockton on Tees off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Co-operative. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Co-operative, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Co-operative conveyancing panel.

I currently have a mortgage with Bank of Ireland for my property in Stockton on Tees. Conveyancing was finalised 12 months ago. Should I wish to rent out the flat and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform Bank of Ireland?

Your original mortgage agreement with Bank of Ireland will provide that you need their approval prior to letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of Bank of Ireland’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Bank of Ireland directly. You need not do this via a Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel solicitor.

I am buying a new build apartment in Stockton on Tees. 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 legal work.

Here are examples of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Stockton on Tees

The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. 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. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision.

Due to the input of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Stockton on Tees ahead of instructing lawyers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. My surveyor advised that some banks will not give a mortgage on such a property.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different instructions for example to Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can check with the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Stockton on Tees. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Stockton on Tees to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.

My father-in-law has encouraged me to appoint his conveyancing solicitors in Stockton on Tees. Do I follow his guidance?

There are no two ways about it it’s preferable to select a conveyancing lawyer is to get recommendations from friends or relatives who have used the conveyancer that you are contemplating using.