I have todaydiscovered that Action Conveyancing have closed. They conducted my conveyancing in The Hale for a purchase of a leasehold flat 9 months ago. How can I establish that the property is registered correctly in the name of the previous owner?

The quickest way to check if the premises is registered to you, you can make a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of The Hale conveyancing specialists.

How does conveyancing in The Hale differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in The Hale approach us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because developers in The Hale typically buy the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in The Hale or who has acted in the same development.

I have been on the look out for a ground for flat up to £235,500 and identified one round the corner in The Hale I like with a park and station in the vicinity, however it's only got 51 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in The Hale for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a short lease?

If you require a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be a potential deal breaker. Discount the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you may ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor about this matter.

Is it possible to change solicitor as I have to instruct one who is on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing list. I instructed a family conveyancing solicitor in The Hale round the corner but she is not approved by National Westminster Bank

It would be our pleasure to help you find a conveyancing solicitor in The Hale on the National Westminster Bank panel. Please note that the solicitors that we list do not pay us commission if you instruct them and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority who oversee all conveyancing solicitors in The Hale. In making use of the find a conveyancing solicitor tool on this website, you can compare and instruct different solicitors and conveyancers both nationally and in The Hale.

We have appointed a The Hale conveyancing solicitor for our house purchase (FTB’s) and have picked up in the Ts and Cs that they are not covered by the FCA. Should I be worried or is that usually the case with conveyancer?

We can't see why they should be. Most solicitor don't lend money. You should check that they are governed by the SRA, who dictate specific obligations covering funds deposited by them.