Having sold my house in Shepperton last June but our buyer keeps whats apping every few hours to say his lawyer needs to hear from mysolicitor. What are the post completion sale formalities now that I have sold?

Post completion of your disposal your solicitor is obliged to forward the transfer documentation and all of the paperwork to the buyer’s conveyancer. Where appropriate, your lawyer should also confirm that the mortgage has been redeemed to the purchasers lawyers. There is unlikely to be post completion formalities specific conveyancing in Shepperton.

I am purchasing a terraced house in Shepperton. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?

Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Shepperton you will have to appoint a solicitor on your mortgage company's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Shepperton.

Should our solicitor be raising enquiries regarding flooding as part of the conveyancing in Shepperton.

Flooding is a growing risk for lawyers dealing with homes in Shepperton. There are those who acquire a house in Shepperton, fully aware that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, leaving to one side the physical damage, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, adequate building insurance, or sell the property. Steps can be carried out as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.

Solicitors are not qualified to impart advice on flood risk, but there are a number of searches that may be carried out by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which will give them a better appreciation of the risks in Shepperton. The standard property information forms supplied to a buyer’s solicitor (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) includes a usual inquiry of the vendor to determine whether the property has suffered from flooding. In the event that flooding has previously occurred and is not revealed by the seller, then a purchaser could bring a legal claim for losses as a result of such an misleading answer. A purchaser’s lawyers may also commission an enviro search. This will reveal if there is any known flood risk. If so, more detailed inquiries should be carried out.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I have offered on a fortnight ago in what should have been a quick, no chain conveyancing. Shepperton is the location of the property. Can you offer any guidance?

Flying freeholds in Shepperton are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Shepperton you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Shepperton may ascertain 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 looking for a conveyancing lawyer in Shepperton for my house move. Can I check a solicitor's complaints history with the legal regulator?

Members of the public may see documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors record, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may recorded telephone calls for training purposes.