The sellers of the house we are looking to purchase hired a conveyancing firm in Harlington who has recommended a exclusivity agreement with a non-refundable deposit 6,000. Are such agreements sensible?

Exclusivity contracts are contracts between a property seller and purchaser granting the buyer the sole right to purchase the premises within an agreed time frame. For all intents and purposes, a lock out agreement is a contract specifying that you should have a contract at a later time which is the contract for the actual sale. It tends to be used for buyer assurance though in many situations, the owner may enjoy an upside from such agreements as well. There are various pros and cons to using an agreement but you need to check with your lawyer but note that it may result in costing you extra in conveyancing charges. For this these agreements are avoided when it comes to conveyancing in Harlington.

Are the BSA planning on creating a search tool with a view to to identify solicitors on the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society conveyancing panel for example in Harlington?

We would not expect to be advised of any intention on the part of the BSA to promote such a tool.

I am buying a new build flat in Harlington. Conveyancing is necessary evil 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 is a sample of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Harlington

Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. 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.

I opted to have a survey carried out on a property in Harlington ahead of retaining conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the house. The surveyor advised that some banks will refuse to give a mortgage on a flying freehold premises.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different instructions for example to Birmingham Midshires. If you call us we can investigate further via the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Harlington. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Harlington especially if they regularly deal with such properties in Harlington.

I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the bank conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the bank approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?

Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the mortgage company conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the bank solicitor panel.