What is the first thing I need to know about purchase conveyancing in Lindfield?

You may not hear this from too many lawyers but conveyancing in Lindfield and elsewhere in West Sussex is often a confrontational experience. Put another way, when it comes to conveyancing there exists plenty of opportunity for conflict between you and other parties involved in the house moving process. E.g., the seller, estate agent and sometimes your bank. Appointing a solicitor for your conveyancing in Lindfield is a critical decision as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONE party in the process whose role it is to act in your legal interests and to keep you safe.

We are witnessing a distinct ongoing adversarial element to conveyancing- someone has to be blamed for the process being so protracted. We recommend that you your first instinct should be to trust your conveyancer above all other players in the conveyancing process.

Is it the case that all Lindfield solicitor practices on the Aldermore conveyancing panel are regulated by the SRA?

As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the Aldermore conveyancing panel they would need to be governed by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Some lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such practice would be overseen by the CLC.

I am expecting a OIP from Yorkshire BS 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 Yorkshire BS recommend any Lindfield solicitors on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer?

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

I was told three weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by Barclays. Is it usual for Barclays to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Lindfield is approved on their conveyancing panel? Barclays have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their PI Insurance.

A lender would not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Barclays to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Barclays conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

We are planning on selling our home in Lindfield and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a risk of it being built land that was not decontaminated. Any high street Lindfield lawyer would know this is not the case. For the life of me I don't know why the buyers instructed an online conveyancing firm rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Lindfield. We have lived in Lindfield for 4 years we know of no issue. Do we get in touch with our local Authority to seek confirmation that there is no issue.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm already. What do they say? 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 life insurance to cover that same sickness)

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I have offered on two weeks back in what was supposed to be a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Lindfield is where the house is located. Is there any guidance you can impart?

Flying freeholds in Lindfield are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Lindfield you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Lindfield may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.

My cousin has suggested that I use his conveyancing solicitors in Lindfield. Do I take his advice?

There are no two ways about it it’s preferable to select a conveyancing lawyer is to get feedback from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor you're considering.