What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Durham? Is this really warranted?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to check the ID of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing instruction. The Client Care letter that you are required to sign will no doubt stipulate this. Your lender will also require certain documents to be checked. If you refuse to hand over ID verification documents, your solicitor can not take you on as a client.
Do I need to pay for insurance to address the risk of chancel repairs when buying a residence in Durham?
Unless a previous acquisition of the premises took place post 12 October 2013 you may expect solicitors handling conveyancing in Durham to continue to propose a a chancel search and or chancel repair liability insurance.
How does conveyancing in Durham differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Durham come to us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is completed. This is because builders in Durham usually acquire the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Durham or who has acted in the same development.
My company is planning to take an assignment of a lease of an office on the high street. Can you recommend solicitors offering no-sale-no charges for non-domestic conveyancing in Durham for under £1,200?
We can recommend firms who host a wealth of experience of commercial conveyancing in Durham, including the sale and purchase of businesses as well as simply property. If you are looking to acquire or lease a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail premises or a complete business we will find you the right firm. Regarding the fees this will depend on the structure and complexity of the proposed transaction. Please provide us with your contact information or call us so that we may provide you with a detailed commercial conveyancing quote.
We're new to the buying process - agreed a price, but the property agent informed us that the owners will only move forward if we instruct their chosen conveyancers as they need an ‘expedited deal’. My instinct tells me that we should use a high street solicitor used to conveyancing in Durham
We suspect that the seller is not behind this requirement. Should the seller desire ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a genuine purchaser is counter productive. Speak to the owners direct and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are excited to move forward, with mortgage lined up © you are unencumbered (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you will continue to use your own,trusted Durham conveyancing solicitors - not the ones that will provide their negotiator at the agency a kickback or hit his conveyancing figures pre-set by senior management.
I purchased a house in Durham last 14/8/2025 and to date it is still not registered with HMLR. It is part of a new estate and my lawyer told me that it can take 12 months to complete the registration formalities. I have spoken with HM Land Registry directly and they have informed me the original application was cancelled due to failure to reply to requisitions. Should I be concerned?
get in touch with your property lawyer - if you are not getting sensible responses, enquire as to their firm’s complaints process and amplify your problem to a Partner. Registrations for Durham conveyancing are not known to be particularly slow.