Can the conveyancing practitioners Indexed on your site execute auction conveyancing in Devon?
There are a number of niche solicitors we can connect you with those conducting auction conveyancing. Devon is one of hundreds of areas of where our lawyers are based.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Devon. My lender is Accord Mortgages
Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 1/2/2026, the requirements read as follows :
I have been advised by my lawyer that defective lease insurance is necessary on my purchase. What is the typical level of cover needed for conveyancing in Devon?
The right level of defective lease indemnity insurance should be dictated by who who your lender is. It would differ for example between National Westminster Bank and Leeds Building Society. Conveyancing practitioners as opposed to borrowers take out such policies.
Is it the case that all Devon CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors are on the Principality conveyancing panel?
It is true that some banks and building societies now use the accreditation scheme as the kick off point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS membership however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to join their approved list of firms.
After weeks of negotiation I have agreed a price on a house in Devon. My mortgage broker recommended their conveyancers. I paid an advanced payment of £225. A couple of days later, the lawyer called me sheepishly admitting that they were not on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?
You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the Clydesdale panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.
Will my solicitor be asking questions regarding flooding during the conveyancing in Devon.
Flooding is a growing risk for lawyers carrying out conveyancing in Devon. Some people will acquire a property in Devon, completely aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical destruction, if a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, adequate building insurance, or dispose of the property. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a property purchase to forewarn the purchaser.
Conveyancers are not best placed to offer advice on flood risk, however there are a numerous searches that may be initiated by the buyer or by their conveyancers which will figure out the risks in Devon. The standard information sent to a purchaser’s solicitor (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) contains a usual inquiry of the vendor to discover if the property has suffered from flooding. In the event that flooding has previously occurred which is not revealed by the owner, then a buyer may commence a claim for damages as a result of such an misleading response. The buyer’s conveyancers will also order an environmental search. This should disclose if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, further inquiries will need to be initiated.
How does conveyancing in Devon differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Devon approach us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is completed. This is because new home sellers in Devon typically purchase the real estate, 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Devon or who has acted in the same development.
I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £195,000 and found one close by in Devon I like with open areas and transport links nearby, however it's only got 49 years on the lease. There is not much else in Devon in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a short lease?
If you need a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term will be problematic. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you can ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor concerning this matter.