Can you help? My Romney solicitor is advising me that she is duty bound toconduct Romney conveyancing searches becausethe firm are on the Lloydsconveyancing panel. Is this really necessary?

You have limited options available to you. As you are obtaining a home loan with a lender your has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of your bank’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements . Even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out Romney conveyancing searches.

It is 10 years ago since I bought my home in Romney. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been retained on the sale but I can't find the deeds. Will this cause complications?

Don’t worry too much. First there is a chance that the deeds will be kept by your lender or they could be in the possession of the solicitor who oversaw the purchase. Secondly in most cases the title will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing lawyers obtaining current official copies of the land registers. The vast majority of conveyancing in Romney relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your property is unregistered it is more tricky but is not insurmountable.

What will a local search tell me about the property my wife and I buying in Romney?

Romney conveyancing often commences with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search company for instance Xpress Legal The local search plays an important role in many a Romney conveyancing purchase; that is if you don’t want any nasty once you have moved into your property. The search will reveal data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the property (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen subject headings.

I am looking to sell my house. My past solicitors has retired. I would be grateful for any recommendation of a conveyancing firm. I happen to live in Romney if that makes things easier.

You should use our search tool to help you find a solicitor for your conveyancing in Romney. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with regulated solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs smoothly.

I am an executor of my recently deceased mum’s Will, with a bungalow in Romney which will be marketed. The property has never been registered at HMLR and I'm advised that some purchasers will insist that it is in place before they'll proceed. What's the mechanism for this?

In the circumstances you refer to it seems prudent to apply to register in the names of the personal representative(s) as named in the probate and in their capacity as PRs. The Land Registry’s online guidance explains how to register for the first time and what is required re the deeds and forms. You would need to include and official copy of the probate as well and complete the form FR1 to refer to the PRs as the applicant.