My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Alvaston. I need to find out if they are on the Barnsley Building Society approved list of lawyers. Could you help?

You should phone the solicitor and enquire whether they are on the lender panel. Otherwise you can get in touch with Barnsley Building Society who may be able to assist.

I am buying a end of terrace house in Alvaston. We would like to an extension at the rear at the property.Will legal work on the property include enquiries to determine if these alterations are permitted?

Your property lawyer should review the registered title as conveyancing in Alvaston can on occasion identify restrictions in the title deeds which prevent certain works or necessitated the consent of another owner. Many extensions require local authority planning permissions and approval in compliance with building regulations. Certain areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or impact extensions. It would be prudent to check these things with a surveyor prior to committing yourself to a purchase.

We are getting a further advance on our home loan from Lloyds as we intend to conduct a loft conversion to our property in Alvaston. Are we obliged to appoint a bricks and mortar Alvaston solicitor on the Lloyds conveyancing panel to handle the legals?

Lloyds would not normally appoint firms on their approved list of lawyers to deal with such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Lloyds panel.

Barclays have agreed my home loan in principle, my offer on a flat in Alvaston has been accepted, what happens next?

Your estate agent will need to be advised as to your conveyancing practitioner's details (be sure the property lawyers are on the lender’s panel). Telephone Barclays or the broker and finish off any relevant forms. Barclays will appoint a valuer who will get in contact with the estate agent or seller to book a slot for the valuation to occur. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a fortnight to receive the mortgage offer. Barclays will send the offer to you and your conveyancers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Alvaston.

Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my house are lost. The conveyancers who conducted the conveyancing in Alvaston 4 years ago have long since closed. What are my next steps?

In today’s world there are duplicates made of almost everything, and your conveyancer should be aware exactly where to find all the appropriate documentation so you may buy or sell your property without a hitch. Where duplicates can’t be found, your solicitor may be able to arrange cover in the form of insurance or indemnities against possible claims on your premises.

What advice can you give us when it comes to appointing a Alvaston conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a conveyancer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Alvaston conveyancing firm) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Alvaston conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions could be helpful:

How many lease extensions has the firm completed in Alvaston in the last twenty four months?

Alvaston Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Queries Prior to buying

How is the lease structured? The answer will be useful as a) areas could result in problems for the block as the common areas may begin to deteriorate where services remain unpaid b) if the leaseholders have a dispute with the running of the building you will need to know about it It would be prudent to discover as much as possible concerning the managing agents as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you will be at the mercy of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to day to day matters like the upkeep of the common parts. Enquire of other tenants what they think of their service. On a final note, be sure you understand the dates that the service charges are due to the appropriate party and specifically what you get for your money.

Do I cancel my mortgage payments with Nottingham once a completion date for my home sale in Alvaston has been agreed?

No, you should keep paying any mortgage payments to Nottingham until the mortgage is redeemed out of the proceeds of sale as part of your Alvaston conveyancing.