IfI was to acquire a straightforward propertyin Hook for cash and have no survey and no conveyancing searches how much would I expect to have to pay for conveyancing in Hook?

Any savings you would make will be limited to the Hook conveyancing searches. A still got to do everything else - money laundering, communicating with your vendors , stamp duty return, register the ownership etc. You might save a bit for them not having to register a charge but it won't be significant.

My husband and I are buying a newbuild flat in Hook with a mortgage from .We use our Hook conveyancing solicitor but says her practice is not listed on their "panel". We have to appoint a panel firm or keep our local solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to act for them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?

No, not really. The loan issued to you contains various provisions, one of which will be that lawyers needs to be on the approved list. in the past, 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. Another option that might be available is for your lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for

About to purchase a new build apartment in Hook. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build conveyancing.

Here are examples of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Hook

If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. Please supply evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified.

Am I best advised to go with a Hook conveyancing practitioner in close proximity to the house I am buying? An old friend can carry out the legal formalities but his firm is located approximately 350miles drive away.

The primary upside of using a high street Hook conveyancing firm is that you can visit the firm to sign paperwork, deliver your ID and pester them where appropriate. Having local Hook know how is a plus. However it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If you know people who instructed your friend and the majority were content that must surpass using an unknown Hook conveyancing solicitor solely due to them being local.

Much to my surprise my solicitor in Hook has requested from me personal identification documents asserting that this forms part of his retainer as a solicitor on the lender Conveyancing panel. Can you confirm whether this is the case?

Due to Money Laundering Regulations your conveyancing lawyer is duty bound to confirm positively your identification when entering into a business relationship with you. It is a criminal offence if your lawyer not do this. If you do not provide ID early in the transaction the solicitor must refuse to act for you. It’s unlikely a lawyer will turn you away if you come to the first meeting without relevant ID but you will have to produce it at some point so you might as well bring it with you to the initial meeting so the lawyer can tick the ID verification box and start sorting out the conveyancing straight away. If you are getting a mortgage, your lawyer also has to check ID documents to satisfy the bank. This is not specific to conveyancing in Hook