My friend's mother is a solicitor. I hope that I will receive mate’s pricing for conveyancing, but if not, what kind of costs should I be expecting for conveyancing in Becontree?
You should compare pricing. Do use our search tool on this page. The prices will vary but service levels do are distinct between solicitors as is the case with the vast majority of professional services.
The sellers of the property we are purchasing hired a conveyancing firm in Becontree who has suggested a lock out agreement with a non-refundable deposit 10k. Are such agreements generally advanced for Becontree conveyancing transactions?
There are two main concerns with signing a lock out agreement (also known as a shut-out contract) is that it diverts attention away from moving forward with the conveyancing transaction itself, so unless it requires minimal or no negotiation then it may transpire to be a hindrance. It is not promoted by Becontree conveyancing solicitors for this reason. A further negative is the extent of the remedies available - an aggrieved purchaser is not likely to be granted injunctive relief to stop the seller disposing of the property to a third party, so the only remedy open via the contract will be the reimbursement of abortive charges and, in limited circumstances, the extra payment of penalties.
It is a dozen years since I acquired my property in Becontree. Conveyancing solicitors have just been appointed on the sale but I can't find the title documents. Is this a major issue?
Don’t worry too much. Firstly the deeds may be with your lender or they may stored with the solicitor who oversaw the purchase. Secondly in all probability the property will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you own the property by your conveyancing lawyers obtaining up to date copy of the land registers. Almost all conveyancing in Becontree relates to registered property but in the unlikely event that your home is unregistered it is more problematic but is not insurmountable.
I have 70 years left on my lease and require a lease extension for my flat in Becontree. Conveyancing solicitors on the Chelsea Building Society panel can deal with such extensions correct?
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 1/8/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I have been told that property searches are the number one cause of stalling in Becontree conveyancing transactions. Is there any truth in this?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released findings of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature within the top 10 causes of hindrances during the legal transfer of property. Searches are unlikely to be the root cause of holding up conveyancing in Becontree.
Should I instruct a Becontree conveyancing practitioner who is local to the property I am purchasing? We have a good friend who can conduct the legal work however his firm is located 400kilometers away.
The primary upside of using a local Becontree conveyancing firm is that you can pop in to sign documents, hand in your identification documents and apply pressure on them where appropriate. They will also have local knowledge which is a bonus. However nothing is more important than finding someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If you know people who used your friend and they were impressed that must trump using an unknown Becontree conveyancing solicitor solely due to them being based in the area.