I am expecting a offer of a home loan from Halifax. I hope to instruct a Licensed Conveyancer in Cudworth. Does the Halifax Conveyancing panel allow for conveyancers regulated by the CLC?

The Halifax conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders, represented by the Council or Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the CLC.

Can you clarify what the consequences are if my lawyer’s firm is removed from the Nottingham Solicitor panel ahead of completing my conveyancing in Cudworth?

First, this is a very rare occurrence. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have to instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by a regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit at a cost.

My relative suggested that where I am purchasing in Cudworth I should ask my conveyancer to carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

A search of this type is sometimes quoted for as part of the standard Cudworth conveyancing searches. It is not a small report of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out significant information about Cudworth around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Local Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data regarding Cudworth.

How does conveyancing in Cudworth differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Cudworth approach us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is finished. This is because builders in Cudworth typically purchase 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Cudworth or who has acted in the same development.

I am in the process of purchasing my first home in Cudworth. Conveyancing solicitor already selected. The broker pointed out that a survey is not appropriate as the house was only built in 2001.

You would be best advised to take a Home Buyer's Report. Given the premises was built over a decade ago the property will not benefit from a warranty, so you would be well advised not to take a risk. Where a property of this age shows no signs of problems a Home Buyer's report could be sufficient. They will highlight any apparent issues and suggest further investigation where relevant. If there are any indications of problems get a comprehensive Building Survey from the beginning.