Do I have to have a meeting at the offices of the solicitor to execute the mortgage deed? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Watlington so that I can pop in to their offices if necessary.

As opposed to ten years ago, most banks no longer need their conveyancing panel lawyer to witness the borrowers signature. You will still be obliged to provide ID documents and there are still distinct advantages to using a local practitioner, in your situation a conveyancing solicitor in Watlington.

I am assisting my sister sell her property in Watlington. Will the conveyancer arrange an energy performance certificate or it is for me to coordinate?

Following the abolition of Home Packs, energy assessments was retained a mandatory component of moving property. An energy assessment needs to be to hand before the property is placed on the market. This is not something that law firms normally arrange. If you are instructing a Watlington conveyancing lawyer they might be willing to arrange energy performance certificates given their relationships with long established local assessors

We have agreed to purchase a house in Watlington. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Clydesdale be concerned?

As your lender is Clydesdale your lawyer must comply with the formal instructions set out in Section 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Clydesdale. The CML Handbook sets out minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancers are required to report to Clydesdale where a lease does not satisfy these requirements. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not limited to Watlington.

The mortgage over my property is with TSB for my property in Watlington. Conveyancing has been completed 12 months ago. In the event that I decide to rent out the flat and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform TSB?

TSB must be informed of your intention in advance of letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of TSB’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 TSB directly. You need not do this via a TSB conveyancing panel firm.

I am buying a new build flat in Watlington. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build conveyancing.

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

The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. 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. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Watlington is the location of the property. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Watlington are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Watlington you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Watlington may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.

Do I need to be suspicious by brokers that I am dealing with are suggesting a web based conveyancing firm rather than a local Watlington conveyancing practice?

As is the case with many professional services, often referrals from family and friends can be extremely useful or valuable. Yet there are lots of people with a vested interest in a conveyancing deal; estate agents, mortgage brokers and lenders may recommend conveyancers to retain. On occasion the solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as experts in their field, but occasionally there exists a commercial relationship behind the endorsement. You have the right to choose your preferred conveyancer. You need to be aware that many mortgage providers specify a panel list of law firms you must use for the mortgage related work in your home move.