My husband and I are approaching an exchange on a flat in Hartlepool and my mum and dad have sent the exchange deposit to my conveyancing practitioner. I am now advised that as the deposit has been received from someone other than me my conveyancer needs to disclose this to my bank. Apparently, in also acting for the mortgage company he must inform them that the balance of the purchase price is coming from anyone other than me. I disclosed to the mortgage company concerning my parents' contribution when I applied for the mortgage, so is it really appropriate for this now to be an issue?

Your conveyancing practitioner is legally required to clarify with mortgage company to make sure that they understand that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. The solicitor can only reveal this to your lender if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.

We are aiming to move house in January. Should my conveyancing solicitor call the removal company on the completion day. As an aside, can you suggest a removal company in Hartlepool. Conveyancing firm was found before I stumbled across your page.

On the afternoon of completion you will need to collect the house keys from your selling agent however this can only occur once the previous owners conveyancers confirm to the agent that the monies to complete are in and the keys can be released. Subsequently you should advise the removal company that you are ready to move in. We do not suggest a specific removal organisation but can help you choose a conveyancing in Hartlepool or a lawyer with expertise in conveyancing in Hartlepool.

We are getting the release of further funds on our mortgage from Bank of Ireland as we wish to carry out renovations to our property in Hartlepool. Are we obliged to appoint a high street Hartlepool solicitor on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?

Bank of Ireland do not ordinarily instruct firms on their approved list of lawyers to handle such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Bank of Ireland panel.

I can not fathom if my lender requires a lease extension. I have called into my local Hartlepool building society branch on a couple of occasions and was told it does not affect the mortgage offer and they will lend. My Hartlepool conveyancing solicitor - who is on the bank conveyancing panel- called to say that they would not lend based on their published requirements. I have no idea who is right.

Your property lawyer must comply with the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook section two requirements for your lender. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the mortgage company will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the mortgage company to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years remaining.

I'm purchasing a new build house in Hartlepool with a loan from HSBC Bank. The builders refused to budge the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of additionals instead. The property agent told me not disclose to my solicitor about this deal as it would impact my mortgage with the lender. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing solicitor in Hartlepool for my home move. Is it possible to check a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?

One can find presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from inquisitions started on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA may recorded telephone calls for training requirements.

Do you have any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Hartlepool with the purpose of expediting the sale process?

• Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Hartlepool can be avoided if you get in touch lawyers the minute you market your property and request that they start to collate the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers’ solicitors.
If you are supposed to have a share in the freehold, you should make sure that you have the original share document. Arranging a replacement share certificate is often a lengthy formality and slows down many a Hartlepool home move. Where a new share certificate is needed, you should approach the company director and secretary or managing agents (where applicable) for this sooner rather than later. Many freeholders or Management Companies in Hartlepool charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold property. You or your lawyers should discover the actual amount of the charges. The management information can be applied for on or before finding a buyer, thus reducing delays. The average time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most common reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Hartlepool. You believe that you know the number of years left on your lease but it would be wise to double-check via your conveyancers. A buyer’s conveyancer will not be happy to advise their client to to exchange contracts if the lease term is below 75 years. It is therefore essential at an as soon as possible that you identify whether the lease for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

Hartlepool Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries before Purchasing

How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their service charge payments? What restrictions are there in the Hartlepool Lease? Are there any major works in the near future that could increase the maintenance fees?