I was advised yesterday by my estate agent that my Fleet solicitor is not on the lender Conveyancing panel. What can I do to be sure whether this is correct?
The sensible course of action for you to take is to contact your Fleet lawyer directly. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to advise you what has happened. Where they are not on the panel they may recommend you to a Fleet conveyancing firm that is on the approved list of lawyers for your bank.
In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Fleet? Is this really warranted?
Fleet conveyancing solicitors and indeed property practitioners accross the UK have an obligation under money laundering regulations to verify the identity of any client with a view to ensure that clients are who they say they are.
Conveyancing clients are required to disclose two forms of certified ID; proof of identity (usually a Passport or Driving Licence) and proof of address (usually a Bank Statement no more than three months).
Evidence of source of monies is also required under the money laundering statutes as solicitors are required to ensure that the monies you are utilising to buy a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the total purchase amount where you are buying mortgage free) has originated from legitimate source (such as an inheritance) and is not the product of illegitimate activity.
My partner and I are close to exchanging contracts on the sale of our home in Fleet and according to the buyers it appears that there is a risk of it being constructed on contaminated land. Any high street Fleet conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. For the life of me I don't know why the buyers instructed a national conveyancing practice rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Fleet. We have lived in Fleet for 4 years we know of no issue. Should we contact our local Authority to get confirmation need.
It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing solicitor already. Are they able to advise? You must enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same ailment)
Am I right to be wary by estate agents that I am dealing with are suggesting an internet conveyancing firm as opposed to a local Fleet conveyancing company?
As is the case with many professional services, often suggestions from connections can be extremely useful or valuable. Nevertheless there are many parties with a vested interest in a conveyancing matter; estate agents, financial adviser and banks might all recommend conveyancers to retain. Sometimes the lawyers might be known to one of the organisations as one of the best in their field, but occasionally there may be a commercial relationship behind the endorsement. You have the right to appoint your own conveyancer. Don't forget that most banks have an approved list of conveyancers you are obliged to use for the lender aspect of your transaction.
As co-executor for the estate of my uncle I am selling a residence in Monmouth but I am based in Fleet. My conveyancer (who is 235 miles awayhas requested that I sign a stat dec before the transaction finalising. Could you suggest a conveyancing lawyer in Fleet to attest this legal document for me?
strictly speaking you should not need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally or notary public or qualified solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are located in Fleet
Should I cancel the direct debit for my mortgage with Kent Reliance as soon as a completion date for my home sale in Fleet has been agreed?
You are best advised to keep meeting any mortgage sums to Kent Reliance until the mortgage is redeemed out of the proceeds of sale as part of your Fleet conveyancing.