The solicitor who assisted with my last purchase has sent a quote for £1350 for leasehold conveyancing in Alford. I’m hoping to downsize from a modern property for £250,000. Are these conveyancing fees excessive? Is it above what I should be paying for conveyancing in Alford?
The estimate does seem marginally steep. If you are willing to expend time contrasting charges you could reduce the fees marginally by say £125. That being said, you couldlive to regret opting for an a cheaper conveyancer. Remember to be sure the solicitor can also act for your lender. Do use our search tool to select a Alford conveyancing company on the banks member panel which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Alford.
Can you vouch for a Santander sanctioned Alford conveyancing lawyer that can complete within a very limited time frame? Am I best advised to unstruct a local Alford firm or a nationwide comparison site?
We would be happy to suggest some excellent Alford conveyancing firms. You can also walk up the high street in Alford. Go in to two or three firms and ask to speak with a conveyancing solicitor for a fee estimate. Discuss your time frames together with the reasons and ask for a commitment on speed. Select the lawyer that genuine.
In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Alford? What am I being asked for?
Alford conveyancing solicitors as well as nationwide property practitioners accross the UK have a duty under Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules to check the ID of any client in order to ensure that clients are who they say they are.
Conveyancing clients will need to supply two forms of certified identification; proof of identity (usually a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (typically a Bank Statement less than 3 months old).
Evidence of source of funds is also necessary under the money laundering statutes as conveyancers are duty bound to check that the funds you are using to purchase a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the full purchase amount if you are a cash purchaser) has originated from a reputable source (such as an inheritance) and is not the fruits of criminal activity.
Is it necessary during the course of the conveyancing process to pop into the offices of the solicitor to execute the legal charge? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Alford so that I can attend their offices if necessary.
Nowadays approved lawyers for lenders carry out the vast majority of work through Royal Mail, e-mail or over phone calls. This means that they can undertake the conveyancing transaction regardless of where you live in the country. That being said you can see if you have the option of visiting the offices of your conveyancing lawyer if just in case this is required.
Over the last few months I have been searching for a flat up to £195,000 and identified one close by in Alford I like with a park and transport links nearby, the downside is that it only has 49 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Alford in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?
Should you need a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term may be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you could request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor about this.
I have just become aware that one of the partners of the solicitors handling the purchase conveyancing in Alford is an uncle of the owners that we are purchasing from. Is this permitted?
Provided there is no conflict of interest this should be fine. If you are requiring a mortgage then the lender may have a say as many banks have specific requirements concerning this. For example for Clydesdale Bank as of 27/11/2025, the requirements read as follows :