We are buying a property and need a conveyancing solicitor in Wallingford who is on the Bank of Ireland approved panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a solicitor?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Bank of Ireland . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Wallingford.

What is your number one tip for finding a conveyancing solicitor in Wallingford

It would be unwise to be seduced by the lowest Wallingford conveyancing costs illustration. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to property lawyers. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

I am helping my step-mother sell her house in Wallingford. Will the solicitor order the energy performance certificate or it is for the seller to see to?

Following the abolition of Home Information Packs, energy performance certificates became a mandatory element of moving house. An energy performance certificate must be to hand before the property is placed on the market. It is not as aspect of the sale process that lawyers ordinarily arrange. If you are instructing a Wallingford conveyancing practitioner they may help arrange EPC’s given their relationships with reputable Wallingford assessors

How can we know in advance if a Wallingford conveyancing solicitor on the Santander panel is any good?

When it comes to conveyancing in Wallingford seeking recommendations is a sensible starting point. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always advocate that you speak with the lawyer carrying out your conveyancing.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up as part of conveyancing in Wallingford?

Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Wallingford. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

I work for a reputable estate agent office in Wallingford where we see a number of leasehold sales derailed due to short leases. I have been given inconsistent advice from local Wallingford conveyancing solicitors. Please can you shed some light as to whether the vendor of a flat can commence the lease extension process for the purchaser on completion of the sale?

As long as the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the buyer need not have to wait 2 years to extend their lease. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment has to be done before, or at the same time as completion of the sale.

An alternative approach is to extend the lease informally by agreement with the landlord either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the buyer.

Wallingford Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Queries before buying

Is the freehold owned collectively by the tenants? How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments? Make sure you discover if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. For instance it is fairly common in Wallingford leases that pets are not allowed in certain buildings in Wallingford. If you like the apartmentin Wallingford but your cat can’t make the move with you then you will be presented with a hard decision.

We are hoping to acquire a repression property in Wallingford and the mortgagee in possession would like to complete within 28 days. Can a conveyancing practitioner meet that timeframe? Am I best advised to instruct a local Wallingford firm or an online company that advertises to complete quickly?

Visit your Wallingford high street. Pop in to a couple of firms and request to see a conveyancing solicitor for a quote. Set out your situation and try and obtain a commitment on deadlines. Select the one that appears most genuine. Make sure to choose a solicitor on the list of lawyers who can act for your lender.