My mortgage company has recommended a law firm on their panel based in Washington but I would rather instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Washington or nearer to where I live. Can you help?

It is by no means the case that all Washington conveyancing firms are approved and listed on all banks conveyancing panel. Use our search tool to locate a Washington conveyancing conveyancer on the on the mortgage company panel.

I require expedited conveyancing in Washington as I am faced with an ultimatum to exchange contracts inside one month. Fortunately I do not require a mortgage. Can I escape the need for conveyancing searches to save money and time?

As you are are a cash purchaser you are at liberty not to do searches although no lawyer would recommend that you don't. Drawing on our experience of conveyancing in Washington the following are instances of issues that can arise and therefore affect market value: Refused Planning Applications, Overdue Fees, Overdue Grants, Unadopted Roads,...

Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my home can not be found. The lawyers who did the conveyancing in Washington 5 years ago no longer exist. What are my options?

Nowadays there are copies made of almost everything, and your conveyancer should be aware exactly where to find all the suitable paperwork so you may purchase or dispose of your house without a hitch. If duplicates can’t be located, your lawyer can arrange cover in the form of insurance or indemnities against future claims on your premises.

How easy is it to change firm as I need to appoint a firm on the Santander conveyancing list. I instructed a local conveyancing solicitor in Washington round the corner but he is not approved by Santander

We will our best to assist in finding you a conveyancing solicitor in Washington on the Santander panel. Please note that the solicitors that we work with do not pay us commission if you instruct them and are fully regulated by the SRA who oversee all conveyancing solicitors in Washington. 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 Washington.

Back In 2009, I bought a leasehold flat in Washington. Conveyancing and Norwich and Peterborough Building Society mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1993. The conveyancing solicitor in Washington who previously acted has now retired. Any advice?

First make enquiries of the Land Registry to make sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to instruct a Washington conveyancing solicitor to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. You should note that in any event, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

I acquired a ground floor flat in Washington, conveyancing formalities finalised 10 years ago. How much will my lease extension cost? Equivalent properties in Washington with a long lease are worth £211,000. The ground rent is £50 invoiced every year. The lease finishes on 21st October 2088

With only 68 years unexpired the likely cost is going to range between £9,500 and £11,000 plus plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The figure above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more comprehensive investigations. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.