My fiancee and I are purchasing our first property. Our conveyancing practitioner has e-mailedto enquire if we want to order additional conveyancing searches. As novices we in the dark as to what's recommended for conveyancing in Barnsbury

The extent of Barnsbury conveyancing searches depends primarily on the property, the location, the probability of any of these risks, your knowledge of the locality and risks, your overall attitude to risk. What matters is that you adequately understand what information the searches could provide. You may then decide if you personally think you need that search. If unsure, ask the conveyancer to offer guidance.

Are the BSA intent on creating a searchable register to to identify law firms on the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society conveyancing panel for example in Barnsbury?

We have not been informed any plans on the part of the BSA to promote such a tool.

I'm converting the mortgage on my current home to a buy to let loan with Britannia and I will use the ballance of the raised equity towards further house. The neighborhood we are interested in is Barnsbury. Will your solicitors be able to act for the two lenders and tie in the conveyances?

Do use our comparison tool on this site to ensure that the solicitors are on the appropriate lender panels. Having checked that they are your lawyer will be able to tie up the two deals but you should have a chat with you solicitor and make apparent your expectations and needs.

I have been sourcing a conveyancing practitioner in Barnsbury for my house move. Is there any facility to review a firm’s complaints history with the profession’s regulator?

Members of the public may review documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find details Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may recorded telephone calls for training reasons.

What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Barnsbury conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Barnsbury conveyancing practice) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggest that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Barnsbury conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions might be of use:

How many lease extensions have they carried out in Barnsbury in the last twenty four months?

My wife and I have hit a brick wall in negotiating a lease extension in Barnsbury. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

Where there is a absentee freeholder or where there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant legislation it is possible to make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to make a decision on the price.

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Barnsbury premises is Flat 120, Clare Court Judd Street in August 2013. the Tribunal held that the premium to be paid for the extension of the lease should be £64,650 This case affected 1 flat. The unexpired term was 62.79 years.