I am buying a garden flat in Hoddesdon. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?

Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Hoddesdon you will have to appoint a solicitor on your lender's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Hoddesdon.

My wife and I purchased a terraced Georgian property in Hoddesdon. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and The Mortgage Works. I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw two entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold with the matching address. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

You should assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for 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 Hoddesdon and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also check the situation with your conveyancing solicitor who conducted the conveyancing.

How does conveyancing in Hoddesdon differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Hoddesdon contact us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is finished. This is because builders in Hoddesdon tend to purchase the site, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Hoddesdon or who has acted in the same development.

My business partner and I are intending to lease a unit on a shopping parade. Can you recommend solicitors offering competitive fees for commercial conveyancing in Hoddesdon for under £2000?

We can recommend firms who have an in-depth of experience of commercial conveyancing in Hoddesdon, including the sale and purchase of businesses as well as simply property. If you are intending to purchase or sell a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail premises or a complete business we will find you the right firm. Regarding the costs these will vary based on the structure and complexity of the proposed transaction. Let us have your details or call so as to enable us to supply you with a fixed commercial conveyancing calculation.

I pay a maintenance fee for my appartment in Hoddesdon. Due to losing my job and other issues I fell behind with payments. I negotiated a settlement plan but there remains two left in arrears.

I now wish to sell and I am concerned this will threaten to derail the sale if I have to pay off the arrears now. I'd like to sell up and subsequently pay them back with the proceeds - is this practicable?

Your conveyancer will hopefully be in a position to negotiate with the management company, and agree with them whether or not they would accept payment out of the completion monies. This is an example of why it is advisable to choose a property lawyer in Hoddesdon as they may well have an established relationship with the parties.