I hired a local lawyer for my conveyancing in Billericay recently. Reviewing the Terms I seewe are on the hook for fees even where the transaction does not complete. Should I ditch them and appoint a web based solicitor practice promising no move no charge conveyancing in Billericay?

It is usually a trade off in that if "No Completion No Fee" is available then the fee levels will generally be higher to cover those cases that fail to complete. You should be mindful that such arrangements rarely cover outlay e.g. Billericay conveyancing search charges.

It is is a decade since I purchased my home in Billericay. Conveyancing solicitors have now been instructed on the sale but I am unable to find the deeds. Will this cause complications?

You need not be too concerned. First the deeds may be retained by the mortgage company or they may stored with the solicitor who acted in the purchase. Secondly in all probability the land will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors procuring up to date copy of the land registers. Nearly all conveyancing in Billericay involves registered property but in the rare situation where your property is unregistered it is more problematic but is resolvable.

My aunt passed away last year and as sole heir and executor I was left the property in Billericay. The house had a small mortgage left on it of around £5k. I want to transfer the title deeds into my name whilst I re-mortgage to HSBC, pay off the mortgage. Is this possible?

Given you plan to re-mortgage then HSBC will insist on your using a conveyancer on the HSBC conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your HSBC conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the HSBC mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.

My partner and I are close to exchanging contracts on the sale of our home in Billericay and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was built on contaminated land. A local conveyancer would know this is not the case. For the life of me I don't know why the purchasers are using an online conveyancing firm as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Billericay. We have lived in Billericay for 4 years we know that this is a non issue. Should we contact our local Authority to seek clarification that the buyers are looking for.

It would appear that you have a conveyancing firm already. Are they able to advise? You should 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 ailment)

I have selected a Billericay conveyancing solicitor for our home move (FTB’s) and have noticed in the terms and conditions that they are not covered by the FCA. Am I right to be worried or is that the norm with property lawyer?

We can't see why they should be. Most conveyancing practitioner don't lend money. You should check that they are governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, who have specific stipulations in place on funds sitting on client account.