When will exchange of contracts take place for purchase conveyancing in Peterborough and am I required to attend the lawyers branch?

Where you are in close proximity to our conveyancing solicitors in Peterborough you are welcome to attend to sign documents. However, the firms we work with supply a countrywide conveyancing service and give just as comprehensive and professional a job for you when communicating with you by post or email. The signing of the contract is not when everything is set in stone. Signing on the dotted line simply enables the conveyancer to exchange contracts when the time is right, which is ordinarily shortly after signing. The exchange process is is usually a five minute process, although where an extended "chain" is in play, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Peterborough)to be in the office available at the end of the phone to exchange contracts.

When it comes to mortgage companies such as Aldermore, do Peterborough solicitors incur a fee to be on the list of approved solicitors?

We are not aware of any bank fees to register on their list of approved firms, although some do charge an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.

I am due to exchange contracts on my apartment. I had a double glazing fitted in January 2007, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s lender, Barclays are being problematic. The Peterborough solicitor who is on the Barclays conveyancing panel is recommending indemnity insurance as a solution but Barclays are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do Barclays have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?

It is probably the case that Barclays have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Barclays may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing was correctly and safely installed. The indemnity insurance merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.

After what seems like an age I have had an offer on an apartment in Peterborough agreed to, the vendors do however have a dependent purchase. The owners have offered on on an apartment, however it’s not been accepted yet, and have viewings of other flats in the pipeline. I have chosen a local conveyancing solicitor in Peterborough. What should be my next step? At what point do I apply for the mortgage with Coventry BS?

It is usual to have concerns where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to incur costs too early (home loan application is in the region of £1k, then valuation, Peterborough conveyancing search fees, etc). The first thing to do is ensure that your lawyer is on the Coventry BS approved list. As to the next phase this very much dictated by the circumstances of your transaction, motivation for the property and on the state of the market. In a rising market the majority of purchasers would apply for the mortgage with Coventry BS and arrange for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they request their conveyancing practitioner to press on with searches.

I used Arc property Solicitors several years past for my conveyancing in Peterborough. I now require my file but the law firm has closed. What do I do?

Do call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Peterborough of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously used, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

About to purchase a new build flat in Peterborough. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

Here are examples of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Peterborough

Please provide evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. 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.

In what way can the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 impact my commercial premises in Peterborough and how can your lawyers assist?

The 1954 Act provides a safeguard to business leaseholders, giving them the a statutory right to apply to court for a renewal lease and remain in occupation when the lease comes to an end. There are limited grounds that a landlord can refrain from granting a lease renewal and the rules are complex. We are happy to direct you to commercial conveyancing firms who use the act for protection and handle your commercial conveyancing in Peterborough