My partner and I have just purchased a house in Waltham. We have since encountered a number of problems with the house which we believe were omitted in the conveyancing searches. What action can we take? What searches should? have been conducted as part of conveyancing in Waltham?

The query is not clear as what problems have arisen and if they are relate to conveyancing in Waltham. Conveyancing searches and due diligence initiated as part of the legal transfer of property are designed to help avoid problems. As part of the legal transfer of property, a seller answers a form called a SPIF. If the information turns out to be misleading, then you may have a claim against the vendor for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Waltham.

Completed the sale of my flat in Waltham last March yet the purchaser is texting every few hours complaining that her lawyer needs to hear from mine. What are the post completion sale formalities following completion?

Post completion of your house sale your lawyer is duty bound to forward the transfer documentation and all additional paperwork to the buyer’s conveyancer. If applicable, your conveyancer should also evidence that the legal charge in favour of the lender has been redeemed to the purchasers lawyers. There are no post completion formalities peculiar conveyancing in Waltham.

Do I need to pay for insurance to address the risk of chancel repairs when acquiring a house in Waltham?

Unless a previous acquisition of the premises took place post 12 October 2013 you could take it that solicitors carrying out conveyancing in Waltham to remain recommending a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in two weeks back in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Waltham is the location of the property. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Waltham are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Waltham you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Waltham may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.

I own a leasehold flat in Waltham. Conveyancing and Virgin Money mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing solicitor in Waltham who previously acted has now retired. Any advice?

The first thing you should do is make enquiries of the Land Registry to make sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. It is not necessary to incur the fees of a Waltham conveyancing lawyer to do this as it can be done on-line for £3. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

Waltham Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Questions you should ask before buying

Plenty Waltham leasehold flats will be liable to pay a service charge for the upkeep of the block set on behalf of the management company. If you acquire the flat you will have to pay this charge, usually periodically throughout the year. This may vary from several hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for large purpose-built buildings. In all probability there will be a rentcharge to be met yearly, this is usually not a large amount, say around £50-£100 but you should to check as occasionally it can be many hundreds of pounds. It is important to be aware if fixing the lift or some other major work is due in the near future to be shared amongst the leaseholders and will dramatically impact the level of the maintenance fees or necessitate a one time invoice. Is there a share of the freehold?