Me and my wife are acquiring our first property. Our has e-mailedto check if we want to purchase additional conveyancing searches. Unfortunately we have no idea as to what's recommended for conveyancing in Exeter

The quantity and type of Exeter conveyancing searches depends primarily on the premises, the location, the probability of any of these risks, your familiarity of the locality and risks, your overall approach to risk. What matters is that you properly comprehend what information each search could provide. Then you can make a decision if you personally think you need that information. Should you be unsure, ask your to explain.

I am the registered owner of a freehold property in Exeter but still charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Exeter and has limited impact for conveyancing in Exeter but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges have existed for hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of fresh rentcharges post 1977.

Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be extinguished.

I moved into my apartment on 14 April and my personal details is not yet on the land registry website. Need I be worried? My conveyancing solicitor in Exeter advises it would be registered in a couple of weeks. Are transfers in Exeter uniquely lengthy to register?

As far as conveyancing in Exeter is concerned, registration is no faster or slower than anywhere else in the country. Rather than based on location, timescales can differ according to the party submitting the application, whether there are errors and whether the Land registry communicate with any other persons or bodies. At present approximately three quarters of such applications are fully addressed in less than three weeks but some can be subject to longer hold-ups. Registration is effected once the buyer has moved in to the premises therefore 'speed' is not always primary concern but if it is urgent that the the registration takes place urgently then you or your conveyancer can communicate with the Registry to express the reasoning for the application to be prioritised.

As co-executor for the will of my grandmother I am disposing of a residence in Swansea but live in Exeter. My solicitor (approximately 235 miles from mehas requested that I execute a statutory declaration prior to completion. Could you suggest a conveyancing lawyer in Exeter who can witness and place their company stamp on the document?

Technically speaking you should not need to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or qualified solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are based in Exeter

Our solicitor in Exeter has uncovered a a problem with the lease for the flat we are buying in Exeter. The other side have put forward defective title insurance as a solution. We are happy with insurance and will pay for it. Our solicitor says that as he is on the bank conveyancing panel he must check that the lender is happy with this solution. Who is the client here, us or the lender?

Just because you have a mortgage offer from the bank does not mean to say that the property will be meet their requirements for the purposes of a mortgage. Your Exeter conveyancing lawyer has to ensure that the lease has to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Requirements. You and the bank are the client. These conveyancing instructions must be adhered to by the lender conveyancing panel who has to balance acting for you and the bank