What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Astley? Why is this being asked of me?

It is indeed that case that the requirement set out by your lawyer has nothing to do with conveyancing in Astley. However these days you will not be able to proceed with any conveyancing transaction if you have not handing over evidence of your identity. This usually takes the form of a either your passport or driving licence plus a bank statement. Please note that if you are providing your driving licence as proof of identification it must be both the paper section and photo card part, one is not satisfactory in the absence of the other.

Evidence of the origin of money is required in accordance with the Money Laundering Regulations. Please do not be offended when you are asked to produce this as your conveyancer must have this information on record. Your Astley conveyancing practitioner will require evidence of proof of funds prior to accepting any funds from you into their client account and they should also ask additional queries concerning the source of funds.

My wife and I have recently appointed a conveyancing solicitor in Astley. I I would like to check whether they are on the The Mortgage Works approved list of lawyers. Could you assist?

You should e-mail the solicitor and enquire if they are on the lender panel. Otherwise you should call The Mortgage Works who may be able to confirm.

Me and my brother own a semi-detached Edwardian property in Astley. Conveyancing lawyer acted for me and Barclays . I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold with the matching property. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??

You need to assess 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 Astley and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also check the position with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the work.

I have just appointed agents to market my garden flat in Astley. Conveyancing is yet to be initiated, however I have just received a quarterly maintenance charge invoice – Do I pay up?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should pay the service charge as normal given that all rents and maintenance charges should be allotted as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

I invested in buying a studio flat in Astley, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. Can you let me have an estimated range of the fair premium for a lease extension? Equivalent flats in Astley with an extended lease are worth £181,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £55 invoiced every year. The lease finishes on 21st October 2075

You have 51 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £30,400 and £35,200 plus plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive due diligence. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other concerns that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward based on this information without first getting professional advice.

I have just started marketing my 2 bed apartment in Astley.Conveyancing has not commenced however I have recently had a quarterly service charge invoice – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should clear the service charge as usual given that all ground rent and service charges will be allottedas part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially