I am getting a offer of a home loan from Halifax. I would like to retain the legal services of a Licensed Conveyancer in Woodford. Does the Halifax Conveyancing panel include conveyancers regulated by the CLC?

The Halifax conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders, associated to the CML or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

I am under pressure from the mortgagee in possession of a property in Woodford to sign contracts within four weeks. What can I do to quicken up the conveyancing process?

First, If you are under time constraints for your conveyancing it is advisable to make sure that your solicitor is familiar with the area as they will have local contacts and insight. It is possible that they may have handled previoushomes in the same neighbourhood. You would be best advised to use a Woodford conveyancing solicitor. Second, check that the lawyer is on the lender panel. It is said that just under twenty per cent of Woodford conveyancing deals are frustrated or jeopardised after finding out that a purchaser’s lawyer was not on their banks panel. This can often result in the transaction being held up by an average of three weeks. It is said that this issue impacts approximately 100,000 home moves annually. Almost all Woodford conveyancing practices can not represent certain banks so do check at the outset.

After reading online forums for an online lawyer in Woodford, many advise that I should look for a CQS assured solicitor. What is CQS?

The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) provides a recognised quality standard for residential conveyancing practices issued by the Law Society. Membership achievement establishes a level of credibility for member firms with stakeholders (regulators, lenders, insurers and consumers) based upon: * the integrity of the senior responsible officer and other key conveyancing staff * the firm's adherence to good practice management standards * adherence to prudent and efficient conveyancing processes via the scheme protocol the standard covers numerous firms who handle conveyancing in Woodford.

My uncle has encouraged me to instruct his conveyancers in Woodford. Do I take his guidance?

No doubt the best way to select a conveyancing practitioner is to have feedback from friends or relatives who have actually previously instructed the solicitor that you are considering.

I have just appointed agents to market my basement apartment in Woodford.Conveyancing has not commenced but I have just had a half-yearly maintenance charge demand – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

The sensible thing to do is discharge the invoice as you normally would given that all rents and maintenance payments should be allottedon completion, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially