Just contacted my conveyancing lawyer in Dartmouth Park who acted for me 18 months ago asking for a conveyancing costs illustration based on an identical type of house sale & purchase (a leasehold premises and a freehold premises) of similar values with a loan from TSB. It looks as though am now being quoted double. Stick with what I know or should I try and find an alternative property lawyer?

The estimate does seem a tad steep. If you are willing to expend time scrutinising costs you may be able to shave off some of the cost by say £100 plus VAT. On the other hand, providing that you were satisfied with the assistance the firm gave you couldcome to regret opting for an an untested conveyancer. If is important to check the firm can also act for TSB. You can utilise our search tool to select a Dartmouth Park conveyancing firm on the TSB approved list of lawyers, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Dartmouth Park.

Would the conveyancing solicitors that you recommend carry out auction conveyancing in Dartmouth Park?

We know of a few auction lawyers we can connect you with those who can conduct auction conveyancing. Dartmouth Park is just one of the many locations where our lawyers have offices.

We're in Dartmouth Park, First timers buying with a mortgage (lender is Yorkshire BS , and our solicitor is on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancer should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

We had appointed solicitors located in Dartmouth Park on the Kent Reliance solicitor panel. They have just invoiced me a supplemental charge for handling the Kent Reliance mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set by Kent Reliance?

Unfortunately, so long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or estimate then yes your property lawyer is entitled to levy a fee for this. The fee is not set by Kent Reliance but by your Dartmouth Park property lawyer. Numerous firms on the Kent Reliance panel will levy ’dealing with mortgage’ fee but plenty of practices incorporate it on their overall fee.

We have a mortgage agreed in principle with Kent Reliance. Dartmouth Park conveyancing solicitors were instructed. How long does it take for Kent Reliance to issue the offer to the lawyer?

Some lenders take longer than others. Have Kent Reliance done the survey? Have you advised Kent Reliance as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel? Sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued.

I am expecting a OIP from Clydesdale this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Clydesdale recommend any Dartmouth Park solicitors on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer?

You will need to appoint Dartmouth Park solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Clydesdale through the process.

I am about to exchange on the purchase a house in Dartmouth Park but as a consequence of wreckage from the recent storms I have negotiated recompense from the current proprietors of £3k by way of a reduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process however my mortgage company will not permit this. Should they have been informed?

Your solicitor being on the mortgage company approved list is obliged to advise the mortgage company of any amendments to the sale amount. If you were to refuse your solicitor to disclose the price change to your bank then they would need to refrain from representing you and the mortgage company.