Just contacted my conveyancing lawyer in Wantage who completed the legal work two years ago and wanted a conveyancing estimate based on the same type of house sale & purchase (a leasehold premises and a freehold property) of similar values with a home loan from The Mortgage Works. It looks as though am now being charged double. Better the devil I know or do I seek out an alternative conveyancer?

The charges are a bit high. If you you were to look around you may be able to get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by as much as £100 plus VAT. That being said, if you were content with the service the firm offered you maycome to rue opting for an an unknown solicitor. Remember to enquire the firm can act for The Mortgage Works. You can employ our search tool to choose a Wantage conveyancing firm on the The Mortgage Works approved list of lawyers, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Wantage.

Would the conveyancing practitioners identified through your search tool conduct auction conveyancing in Wantage?

We know of a few auction practitioners we can connect you with those specialising in auction conveyancing. Wantage is one of hundreds of areas of where our lawyers are based.

We are expecting a mortgage offer soon. The lender mentioned the loan came with free conveyancing. Is the implication that I have to use their panel lawyer as I would much rather use a Wantage based conveyancing firm?

You should check but the the likelihood is that appoint one of their panel solicitors if you want the "fee-free" offer. Speak to the lender and ask if they make available a monetary alternative. In the past a few lenders offered a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case you could put that amount towards the cost for your conveyancing solicitor near Wantage.

I am looking for a ground for flat up to £305k and found one round the corner in Wantage I like with a park and railway links nearby, the downside is that it only has 61 years on the lease. There is not much else in Wantage suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a short lease?

If you need a home loan that many years may be problematic. Discount the price by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the property for a minimum of 2 years you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor concerning this matter.

My cousin is buying a shared ownership flat in Wantage. He has received a fee estimate by the conveyancing practitioner connected to the estate agents totaling £1300 . It was eight years ago since I sold and bought a home and it cost was £440. Have fees really gone up that much?

What does the conveyancing estimate include? Is it just for the legal fees, or what you will be paying in total (for instance Wantage searches, land registry fees, etc)