We're in Okehampton, FTBs buying with a mortgage (lender is Coventry BS , and our lawyer is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no property lawyer should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

I used Wolstenholmes a few years past for my conveyancing in Okehampton. I now require my file but the law firm has closed. What do I do?

Do contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down 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 Okehampton of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously instructed, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what should have been a simple, no chain conveyancing. Okehampton is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Okehampton are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Okehampton you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds diligently. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Okehampton may decide 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 property.

We're first time buyers - had an offer accepted, but the agent informed us that the vendor will only proceed if we use the agent's chosen solicitors as they need a ‘quick sale’. Our preferred option is to instruct a local conveyancer accustomed to conveyancing in Okehampton

It is unlikely the owners are behind this. If they want ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a genuine buyer is is going to put the whole deal at risk. Bypass the agents and go straight to the owners and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are excited to move forward, with mortgage lined up © you do not need to sell (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you intend to use your own,trusted Okehampton conveyancing lawyers - rather thanthose that will give their estate agent a introducer fee or meet his conveyancing targets demanded by corporate headquarters.

Why do Okehampton conveyancing fees are more expensive for leasehold and freehold properties?

Leasehold conveyancing in Okehampton more often than not will involve additional work including checking the lease, liaising with the freeholder, obtaining up to date rent receipts, landlord’s consents, management company’s accounts amongst other tasks.