The Kemp Town conveyancing lawyers that I appointed last week on my house acquisition in Kemp Town have without warning shut down. I chose them because I had to have a solicitor on the conveyancing panel and my preferred Kemp Town lawyer was not. I cut them a cheque for £250 in advance. What are my options?

Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then inform them immediately so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to reasons beyond your control. Most sellers would be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You should appoint new lawyers that are on the conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money, it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new solicitors may be able to assist.

Me and my partner are purchasing a apartment in Kemp Town. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a conveyancer? On completion day we have to send money into their account. What protection do we have from them run away with our deposit?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

We are purchasing a 3 bedroom semi in Kemp Town. The intention is to an extension at the rear at the house.Will the conveyancing process include enquiries to determine if these alterations are permitted?

Your conveyancer will review the registered title as conveyancing in Kemp Town will occasionally identify restrictions in the title documents which prevent certain changes or need the permission of another owner. Some additions need local authority planning permissions and approval in accordance building regulations. Some areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. It would be wise to check these things with a surveyor prior to committing yourself to a purchase.

I am expecting a OIP from this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do recommend any Kemp Town solicitors on the conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?

You will need to appoint Kemp Town solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and through the process.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I have offered on two weeks back in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Kemp Town is where the house is located. Can you offer any advice?

Flying freeholds in Kemp Town are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Kemp Town you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds thoroughly. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Kemp Town 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 premises.

What tools are available to locate a Kemp Town solicitor on the conveyancing panel? I drive a motor bike and am willing to travel upto 20miles to meet the conveyancer.

You can use the facility on this website. Please choose the bank and your location and you will see a number of Kemp Town conveyancing lawyers located nearest you. We have detailed some Kemp Town conveyancing firms towards the end of this page and you can ring them to check whether they are on the panel

I am tempted by the attractive purchase price for a couple of apartments in Kemp Town which have in the region of fifty years remaining on the lease term. Should I regard a short lease as a deal breaker?

A lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the property for a period of time. As a lease shortens the marketability of the lease reduces and it becomes more costly to extend the lease. For this reason it is generally wise to extend the lease term. Sometimes it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease because mortgage lenders less inclined to grant a loan on properties of this type. Lease enfranchisement can be a difficult process. We recommend you get professional help from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this area.

Kemp Town Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Queries before buying

Does this lease have in excess of 90 years unexpired? What is the name of the managing agents? Can you tell me if there are any major works on the horizon that will likely increase the service fees?