Me and my partner are buying a leasehold flat in Billingshurst. My Conveyancer is not on the bank approved panel. Is it possible for me to appoint my Billingshurst conveyancing solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the bank panel?

You will need to instruct a conveyancing practitioner to deal with the formalities if you take out a loan to purchase your property. They will conduct all the essential investigations on the property, ensuring that you’re properly registered as the owner and ensure that all the necessary mortgage documentation is in order. One can appoint a Billingshurst solicitor of your choice. However, if the lawyer appointed is not on the bank solicitor panel supplemental fees will be levied as separate legal representation will be need by the lender. Lender panel applications can be submitted, so where your lawyer has not previously applied for membership they should do so.

is it true that all Billingshurst solicitors on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel are governed by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?

As solicitors, in order to be on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel they would need to be overseen by the SRA. Many lenders do permit licenced conveyancers on their panel and in such a situation the firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

We previously selected conveyancing lawyers with offices in Billingshurst on the TSB solicitor panel. They are now charging me an additional charge for dealing with the TSB mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set by TSB?

Unfortunately, so long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or estimate then yes your solicitor may levy a fee for this. The fee is not dictated by TSB but by your Billingshurst conveyancing practitioner. Numerous firms on the TSB panel will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.

UBS have agreed my home loan in principle, my bid on a flat in Billingshurst has been accepted, now what?

Your property agent will want to know who your solicitors are (be sure the property lawyers are on the bank’s panel). Telephone UBS or the broker and finalise any appropriate paperwork. UBS will appoint a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or seller to book a time for the valuation to occur. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes on average a week to receive the mortgage offer. UBS will issue the offer to you and your property lawyers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Billingshurst.

Will our lawyer be asking questions concerning flooding during the conveyancing in Billingshurst.

The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for solicitors specialising in conveyancing in Billingshurst. There are those who acquire a property in Billingshurst, fully expectant that at some time, it may be flooded. However, leaving to one side the physical destruction, where a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, suitable building insurance, or dispose of the property. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a property purchase to forewarn the purchaser.

Conveyancers are not qualified to impart advice on flood risk, however there are a numerous checks that may be carried out by the purchaser or by their lawyers which will give them a better appreciation of the risks in Billingshurst. The standard property information forms sent to a buyer’s conveyancer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) includes a standard question of the vendor to discover whether the premises has suffered from flooding. If the premises has been flooded in past and is not notified by the owner, then a buyer may issue a compensation claim as a result of such an inaccurate response. The purchaser’s lawyers may also carry out an enviro search. This will disclose whether there is a recorded flood risk. If so, further inquiries should be initiated.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Billingshurst is the location of the property. Is there any advice you can impart?

Flying freeholds in Billingshurst are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Billingshurst you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds thoroughly. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Billingshurst may determine 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'm refinancing my current house to a buy to let mortgage with Accord Mortgages Ltd and intend to use the remaining equity as a down payment on further house. The location we are looking at is Billingshurst. Will your conveyancers be able to act for the two lenders and tie in the transactions?

Make use of our search tool on this page to ensure that the solicitors are on the appropriate lender panels. Assuming that they are the conveyancer will be able to tie up the two transactions but you should have a chat with you lawyer and make apparent your desired outcome and needs.