The vendors of the property we are looking to purchase have instructed a conveyancing practitioner in Bitterne who has suggested a preliminary contract with a non-refundable deposit 10k. Is it wise to enter into such agreements?

Lock out contracts are contracts between a home vendor and prospective buyer granting the buyer the sole right to the sale of the property within a prescribed time frame. For all intents and purposes, an exclusivity agreement is a contract stating that you will have a contract at a later time being the contract for the actual sale. It is generally utilised for buyer confidence though in some cases, the vendor may enjoy an upside from such agreements as well. There are numerous positives and negatives to using an agreement but you should to check with your solicitor but beware that it may result in incurring more in conveyancing charges. In light of this these agreements are avoided in relation to conveyancing in Bitterne.

My bank has suggested solicitors on their panel based in Bitterne but I would rather use a conveyancing lawyer in Bitterne local to me. Can you assist?

The minority of Bitterne conveyancing firms are approved and listed on all lender’s conveyancing panel. Use the above find an approved solicitor tool to locate a Bitterne conveyancing firm on the on the lender panel.

I am planning on selling our property in Bitterne and according to the buyers it appears that there is a risk of it being constructed land that was not decontaminated. A high street Bitterne lawyer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the buyers used a web based conveyancing practice rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Bitterne. Having lived in Bitterne for 5 years we know that this is a non issue. Do we get in touch with our local Authority to seek clarification that the buyers are looking for.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing solicitor currently acting for you. Are they able to advise? You must check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same ailment)

I have a semi-detached Georgian property in Bitterne. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and . I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw a couple of entries: the first freehold, another for leasehold under the exact same property. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?

You need to assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Bitterne and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also enquire as to the position with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the conveyancing.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build flat in Bitterne. Conveyancing is a frightening process 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.

Set out below are examples of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Bitterne

Please supply evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. Please supply a car parking plan. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore.