We are hoping to buy a purpose built apartment in Ashford with a homeloan from Halifax.We use our Ashford conveyancing solicitor but Halifax says his firm is not on their approved list of member firms. We have to appoint a Halifax panel firm or retain our preferred solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. We feel as though this is unjust; is there anything we can do?

No, not really. The home loan offered to you contains terms and conditions, one of which will be that conveyancers will be on the Halifax approved list. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could find one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Halifax

Should commercial conveyancing searches reveal proposed roadworks that could affect a commercial site in Ashford?

Its becoming the norm that commercial conveyancing solicitors in Ashford will perform a SiteSolutions Highways report as it dramatically cuts the time that conveyancers spend in investigating accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Ashford. The search result sets out definitive information on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Ashford.

For each commercial conveyancing transaction in Ashford it is critical to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. The absence of identifying developments where adoption procedures have not been addressed adequately can cause delays to Ashford commercial conveyancing deals as well as present a risk to future intentions for the site. These searches are not conducted for residential conveyancing in Ashford.

3 months have gone by since my purchase conveyancing in Ashford concluded. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £160,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the property from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

How does conveyancing in Ashford differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Ashford approach us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because builders in Ashford typically purchase the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Ashford or who has acted in the same development.

As co-executor for the will of my grandfather I am disposing of a property in Monmouth but live in Ashford. My lawyer (who is 250 kilometers awayrequires that I execute a stat dec ahead of completion. Could you suggest a conveyancing solicitor in Ashford to attest this legal document for me?

Technically speaking you should not need to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally or notary public or solicitor will do regardless of whether they are Ashford based