I used Action Conveyancing a few years ago for my conveyancing in Whiston. Now, I need the documents but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?

You should contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Whiston of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

How does conveyancing in Whiston differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Whiston approach us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is constructed. This is because builders in Whiston usually purchase the land, 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Whiston or who has acted in the same development.

Am I right to be suspicious by estate agents that I am dealing with are encouraging me to use a nationwide conveyancing firm as opposed to a local Whiston conveyancing firm?

As is the case with lots of professional services, often input from family and friends can be worth their weight in gold. But there are numerous parties with a keen interest in a conveyancing deal; estate agents, financial adviser and lenders might all recommend solicitors to choose. On occasion the conveyancers might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but occasionally there might be a financial incentive behind the recommendation. You have the discretion to appoint your preferred conveyancer. You need to be aware that some mortgage providers specify a panel list of conveyancers you have to use for the mortgage related work in your conveyancing.

Am I better off to choose a Whiston conveyancing practitioner who is local to the property I am hoping to buy? We have a good friend who can deal with the legal work but his firm is located a couple of hundredkilometers drive away.

The primary upside of using a local Whiston conveyancing firm is that you can drop in to sign paperwork, present your identification documents and pester them if necessary. Having local Whiston know how is a bonus. However it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If if people you trust instructed your friend and in the main were happy that should surpass using an unfamiliar Whiston conveyancing lawyer just because they are based in the area.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to finding a Whiston conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Whiston conveyancing practice) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you speak with two or three firms including non Whiston conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be helpful:

If the firm is not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?

Leasehold Conveyancing in Whiston - A selection of Queries Prior to buying

Where a Whiston lease has fewer than eighty years it will affect the marketability of the property. Check with your bank that they are happy with remaining years on the lease. A short lease means that you will almost definitely need a lease extension at some point and it is worth finding out how much this would cost. Remember, in most cases you would be required to have been the owner of the property for 24 months before you are legally able to extend the lease. Are any of leasehold owners in dispute over their service charge payments? It is important to be aware whether a new roof is being put on or some other major work is coming up to be shared between the leasehold owners and will dramatically increase the the maintenance charges or necessitate a specific invoice.