Is there a search tool that I can use to investigate if the solicitor handling my conveyancing in Gorton is on the bank’sapproved panel? I am looking to avoid the situation of having one lawyer for me and one for Britannia thus paying £187.00 plus VAT in further legal fees.

Please do take advantage of the find a lender approved solicitor tool on this page. Pick the mortgage company and type ‘Gorton’ or your location and you will be presented with a number of lawyer located in Gorton or near you.

I am downsizing from our house in Gorton and according to the buyers it appears that there is a risk of it being built land that was not decontaminated. A local conveyancer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the purchasers used a national conveyancing outfit as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Gorton. We have lived in Gorton for many years we know that this is a non issue. Should we get in touch with our local Authority to obtain confirmation that there is no issue.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing lawyer already. What do they say? 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)

Me and my brother purchased a semi-detached Georgian property in Gorton. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Bank of Ireland. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are two entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same address. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?

You need to review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Gorton and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also enquire as to the situation with your conveyancing solicitor who carried out the work.

I have been on the look out for a flat up to £235,500 and found one round the corner in Gorton I like with open areas and transport links nearby, however it only has 49 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Gorton for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?

Should you need a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will be a potential deal breaker. Discount the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for at least twenty four months you may request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor concerning this.

Is there a distinction between surveying and conveyancing in Gorton?

Conveyancing - in Gorton or anywhere in England and Wales - is the process of legally transferring legal title of property from one person to another. It involves the investigation of the title. Whether buying or selling, you should be aware of anything affecting the property such as proposals by government departments, illegal buildings, or outstanding rates. The conveyancer should conduct the appropriate searches and inquiries on the property. Surveying relates to the structure of a property itself. A surveyor will look at a house, flat and any outbuildings you’re purchasing and will help you find out about the condition of the building and, if there are problems, give you a powerful reason for negotiating the purchase price down or asking the vendor to fix the defects prior to you complete your move.