If you had a top tip for selecting a conveyancing solicitor in Alford what would it be?

We would encourage you not to go for the lowest Alford conveyancing quote. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to property lawyers. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

I just bought a house at auction in Alford. Conveyancing is required. What is next?

Having exchanged you should appoint a conveyancing practitioner quickly as you will have a pending deadline in which to complete the deal. An auction property will ordinarily have an associated legal set of papers. This will likely include most,if not all of the paperwork that your lawyer will need. In the case of leasehold premises the auction pack should provide a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and associated conveyancing paperwork specific to leasehold premises. You must pass this on to your appointed conveyancing solicitor at the earliest opportunity. You also need to ensure that that you have the requisite funding organised to complete the transaction on the set completion date.

How can we know in advance if a Alford conveyancing solicitor on the Principality panel is any good?

When it comes to conveyancing in Alford getting recommendations is a sensible starting point. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one advertising the lowest fees. We would always suggest that you speak with the lawyer carrying out your conveyancing.

I purchased my flat on 6 November and my personal details is yet to be on the land registry website. Need I be worried? My conveyancing solicitor in Alford expressed confidence that it would be recorded in less than a month. Are transfers in Alford uniquely lengthy to register?

There is nothing unique about conveyancing in Alford registration formalities. Rather than based on location, timescales can vary according to who lodges the application, whether it is in order and if the Land registry need to notify any other persons or bodies. At present roughly 80% of such applications are fully dealt with in less than three weeks but occasionally there can be extensive hold-ups. Historically registration takes place once the buyer has moved in to the premises therefore 'speed' is not usually primary concern yet if it is urgent that the the registration takes place urgently then you or your solicitor must communicate with the Registry to express the reasoning for an expedited registration.

I'm purchasing a new build house in Alford with the aid of help to buy. The developers would not reduce the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of additionals instead. The house builders rep advised me not to tell my solicitor about the deal as it would impact my mortgage with the bank. Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

In what way does the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 affect my business premises in Alford and how can your lawyers assist?

The 1954 Act gives security of tenure to business tenants, giving them the dueness to apply to court for a renewal tenancy and continue in occupation when the lease reaches an end. There are certain specified grounds that a landlord can refrain from granting a lease renewal and the rules are involved. Fees are different for commercial conveyancing. Alford is one of the many areas of the UK in which the firms we work with have offices

Can you offer any advice when it comes to finding a Alford conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Alford conveyancing practice) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you make enquires with several firms including non Alford conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions could be helpful:

Can they put you in touch with clients in Alford who can give a testimonial? If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?

Leasehold Conveyancing in Alford - Sample of Questions you should consider before Purchasing

The majority of Alford leasehold apartments will incur a service bill for the upkeep of the block set by the freeholder. Where you buy the flat you will have to pay this contribution, normally periodically throughout the year. This may be anything from two or three hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for bigger purpose-built buildings. In all probability there will be a rentcharge to be met annual, normally this is not a large amount, say about £25-£75 but you should to check as occasionally it can be prohibitively expensive. How many years are left on the lease? It is important to be aware whether changing the roof or some other significant cost is due shortly that will be shared between the leaseholders and will dramatically increase the the service fees or necessitate a one off payment.