Me and my partner are about to complete buying a property in Stoke Bishop but as a consequence of wreckage from some water damage at the property I have managed to agree recompense from the owner of £3k by way of a reduction in the price. I had intended this to be addressed as part of a side agreement but Kent Reliance will not permit this. Should they have been notified?

The conveyancing practitioner being on a Kent Reliance approved list is required to advise Kent Reliance of any variations to the sale price. If you prohibit your solicitor to report the price change to Kent Reliance then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, Kent Reliance and you would have to appoint a new property lawyer for your conveyancing in Stoke Bishop.

I am considering applying for a Leeds Building Society mortgage for purchase of a new build (under development) in Stoke Bishop with 70% loan to value. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Leeds Building Society ?

In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel, but Leeds Building Society would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.

I have been told that property searches are the number one reason for obstruction in Stoke Bishop conveyancing transactions. Is this right?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published conclusions of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the common causes of hindrances during the legal transfer of property. Local searches are unlikely to feature in any slowing down conveyancing in Stoke Bishop.

I purchased a terraced Edwardian property in Stoke Bishop. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Godiva Mortgages Ltd. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw a couple of entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold under the matching property. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?

You need to review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Stoke Bishop and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also question the situation with the conveyancing practitioner who conducted the purchase.

I am buying a new build apartment in Stoke Bishop. Conveyancing is necessary evil 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 few leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Stoke Bishop

Please supply a car parking plan. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose?