IfI was to acquire a freehold housein Elephant and Castle for cash and dispense with a survey and no conveyancing searches how much could I expect to have to pay for conveyancing in Elephant and Castle?

Any savings you would achieve will be isolated to the disbursement for searches. Your still got to do everything else - money laundering, communicating with the sellers , stamp duty submission, register the title etc. A slight saving might be made by not having to register a charge but it won't be significant.

My wife and I are downsizing from our property in Elephant and Castle and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was built land that was not decontaminated. Any high street Elephant and Castle conveyancer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the buyers are using a national conveyancing practice as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Elephant and Castle. We have lived in Elephant and Castle for 4 years we know of no issue. Should we get in touch with our local Authority to get clarification that the buyers are looking for.

It would appear that you have a conveyancing lawyer currently acting for you. Are they able to advise? You must enquire of 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 sickness)

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build flat in Elephant and Castle. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Here are examples of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Elephant and Castle

Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier?

I was pointed in your direction by two or three local estate agents in Elephant and Castle to find a property lawyer on your site. What’s the financial inducement for Estate Agents to recommend your lawyers ahead of alternative conveyancing organisations?

We don’t offer any commission for sending work in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult a fee as a client could think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.

My husband and I are FTB’s - had an offer accepted, yet the selling agent advised that the owners will only move forward if we use the agent's preferred conveyancers as they need a ‘quick sale’. My instinct tells me that we should use a high street solicitor who is familiar with conveyancing in Elephant and Castle

It is unlikely the vendors are driving this. If they desire ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a genuine buyer is counter productive. Speak to the vendors direct and make the point that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are excited to move forward, with mortgage lined up © you are chain free (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)however you intend to instruct your preferred Elephant and Castle conveyancing solicitors - not the ones that will give the negotiator at the agency a introducer fee or achieve conveyancing targets demanded by HQ.