I have given 2 months notice to my current landlord and must vacate my let out apartment in North Acton by 17/3/2026. Conveyancing on my purchase is progressing. How realistic is it to complete in 5 weeks as I wish to avoid having to move into temporary accommodation?

The normal practice is not to give notice on a rental until you have exchanged. Assuming that you have not already done so, notify to your conveyancer and ask them to they seek the assistance the other solicitors, try to get a realistic time scale from them that all parties will look towards

As someone not used to conveyancing in North Acton what’s the number one tip you can impart concerning the house moving process in North Acton

You may not hear this from too many lawyers but conveyancing in North Acton and elsewhere in West London is often a confrontational experience. Put another way, when it comes to conveyancing there exists an abundance of opportunity for conflict between you and others involved in the transaction. For instance, the seller, selling agent and on occasion a lender. Selecting a lawyer for your conveyancing in North Acton should not be taken lightly as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONLY person in the process whose responsibility is to act in your legal interests and to protect you.

On occasion a potential adversary may try and convince you that it is in your interests to do things their way. For instance, the property agent may claim to be helping by claiming that your solicitor is slow. Or your financial adviser may tell you to do something that is contrary to your lawyers recommendation. You should always trust your lawyer above all other parties when it comes to the legal transfer of property.

What is the difference between a licensed conveyancer and conveyancing solicitor in North Acton

Two types of professional can carry out conveyancing in North Acton namely licenced conveyancers or solicitors. Both professionals handle the legal services that required to complete the disposal or acquisition of property. Both are required to execute North Acton conveyancing to the same standards and guidelines so you may be safe in the knowledge that your conveyancing will be professionally carried out and that all requirements and steps should be appropriately followed.

I am helping my niece sell her flat in North Acton. Does the conveyancer commission an energy performance certificate or do I organise this?

After the demise of Home Information Packs, EPC’s was left as a mandatory component of moving property. An energy performance certificate should be commissioned prior to the property being marketed. This is not something that solicitors ordinarily organise. Where you are using a North Acton conveyancing lawyer they might help arrange energy performance certificates due to their contacts with reputable North Acton energy assessors

We were going to get a DIP from Virgin Money this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Virgin Money recommend any North Acton solicitors on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?

You will need to appoint North Acton solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Virgin Money through the process.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. North Acton is the location of the property. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in North Acton are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside North Acton you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in North Acton 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 premises.

My husband and I are FTB’s - agreed a price, but the agent told us that the seller will only proceed if we appoint the agent's recommended solicitors as they need a ‘quick sale’. We would rather use a high street conveyancer accustomed to conveyancing in North Acton

We suspect that the owner is unaware of this demand. Should the vendor desire ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a serious purchaser is counter productive. Bypass the agents and go straight to the sellers and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to progress, with finances in place © you are chain free (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)but you are going to appoint your preferred North Acton conveyancing solicitors - rather thanthe ones that will earn their estate agent a kickback or meet his conveyancing targets demanded by corporate headquarters.