Do the Building Society Association intend to launch a searchable register to to identify practices on the conveyancing panel for instance in St Nicholas?
We are not aware of any plans on the part of the BSA to promote such a search facility.
If I am buying in St Nicholas, is it advisable to seek a chancel liability search?
Aston Cantlow (PCC) v Wallbank in 2003 resulted in almost every conveyancing solicitor in St Nicholas to conduct chancel searches. Indemnity policies can be arranged if chancel liability is likely to be enforced. Your conveyancing lawyer should provide more details. Church of England properties in St Nicholas where chancel liability may apply include parish data base.
My husband and I are new to the buying process - agreed a price, but the estate agent has warned us that the owners will only issue a contract if we appoint the agent's chosen conveyancers as they need a ‘quick sale’. My instinct tells me that we should use a family solicitor accustomed to conveyancing in St Nicholas
We suspect that the seller is not behind this request. Should the seller want ‘a quick sale', turning down a motivated buyer is likely to cause more damage than good. Speak to the owners direct and make the point that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to progress, with mortgage lined up © you are chain free (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)but you are going to use your own,trusted St Nicholas conveyancing solicitors - not the ones that will provide their negotiator at the agency a kickback or meet his conveyancing targets set by corporate headquarters.