The Birtley conveyancing firm that I recently instructed on my house acquisition in Birtley have without warning shut down. They were on acting for me because I needed a lawyer on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel and my previous Birtley lawyer was not. I cut them a cheque for two hundred pounds in advance. What should be my next steps?

If you have an estate agent involved then let them know immediately so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to reasons beyond your control. Hopefully they will be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You will need to appoint new lawyers that are on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money, it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new lawyers may be able to assist.

How does conveyancing in Birtley differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Birtley approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is finished. This is because new home sellers in Birtley typically buy the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Birtley or who has acted in the same development.

I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing lawyer in Birtley for my house move. Is there any facility to check a firm’s complaints history with the legal regulator?

Members of the public can see presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find records Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may monitor telephone calls for training purposes.

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to be perfect, at a great figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have since found out that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are issues purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Birtley. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Birtley are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are buying in Birtley in which case you should be shopping around for a Birtley conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as obtaining the landlord’sconsent to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the house is located on an estate. Your conveyancer should report to you on the legal implications.

Birtley Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should consider before buying

What is the the remaining lease term? Does the lease include onerous restrictions? It is important to be aware if redecorating or some other major work is due in the near future that will be shared between the leaseholders and could well materially impact the level of the maintenance fees or necessitate a one off invoice.

I require the services of a bank panel solicitor in Birtley. Can you assist?

Unfortunately it’s not apparent why you need a Birtley panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to the lender to find out which solicitors in Birtley are on their panel . If you do find such a firm in Birtley not listed please direct them to our site to list. At a fee of one pound per month it is not expensive to register on the site