We have rather pushy vendors who has insisted on a lock out agreement with a non-refundable deposit of 5k. Are such contracts promoted for Whitley Bay conveyancing transactions?

There are a couple of primary drawbacks with signing a lock out contract (occasionally known as a no-shop agreement) is that it diverts attention away from progressing with the conveyancing process, so unless it requires little or no negotiation then it may transpire to be unhelpful. It is not particularly popular by Whitley Bay conveyancing lawyers for this reason. A supplemental issue is the extent of the remedies available - a jilted purchaser should not expect to be granted injunctive relief to bar the vendor disposing of the property to another buyer, so the only remedy available under the agreement will be the reimbursement of abortive costs and, in rare circumstances, the additional payment of damages.

In reading consumer advice sites for an affordable solicitor in Whitley Bay, most say that I must instruct a CQS kitemarked lawyer. What is CQS?

Whitley Bay Conveyancing Quality Scheme practices have achieved accreditation under the Law Society's Scheme (CQS) The Law Society introduced CQS to establish evidence of quality standards in the in the legal transfer of properties. CQS helps buyers and sellers to identify solicitor firms who provide a quality residential conveyancing. Whitley Bay is one of the many areas in England and Wales in which accredited firms are located. The conveyancing scheme requires law firms to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self-certification, random audits and yearly assessments in order to maintain CQS status. It is open only to members of the Law Society who meet the demanding standards set by the scheme and has the support of the Legal Ombudsman.

I have a mortgage with Barclays for my property in Whitley Bay. Conveyancing was finalised 12 months ago. In the event that I decide to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Barclays?

You must advise Barclays before letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of Barclays’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Barclays will permit you to let 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 Barclays directly. You need not do this via a Barclays conveyancing panel firm.

Completion of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Whitley Bay. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about the lender. How do I make a complaint?

Most banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Team at head office. Ordinarily complaints to a lender are resolved effectively and efficiently. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.

My offer was accepted on a property in Whitley Bay on 12/10/2018, valuation was booked five days after, all came back fine. Solicitor appointed, so the only thing outstanding was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Barclays and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Barclays conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?

A lender would not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Barclays to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Barclays conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I put an offer in last month in what was supposed to be a simple, chain free conveyancing. Whitley Bay is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Whitley Bay are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Whitley Bay you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Whitley Bay 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.

I am are seeking to find an affordable conveyancing lawyer in Whitley Bay to help me sell my place. I I am concerned about appointing the wrong one and there are various Whitley Bay conveyancing practices out there...who's the best?

An unbiased personal recommendation from someone who has used a conveyancing lawyer before is always a preferable. Almost everyone has used a conveyancing lawyer in the past. Do make use of our tool to compare Whitley Bay conveyancing quotes