I am need of leasehold conveyancing for an apartment in a fairly new development (five years old) in Cann Hall. Almost all the properties are already occupied. Is it strictly necessary to order neighbourhood searches for my conveyancing in Cann Hall?

If you are acquiring a property with the assistance of a mortgage, your mortgage company will insist on some (many) of the searches so you'll have no choice. If not, then Cann Hall conveyancing searches are optional. Your lawyer, will 'advise', perhaps strongly, that you should have the searches done, but he or she is duty bound in this regard. One thing to bear in mind; if you are likely to sell the house one day, it may be of interest to your future buyer what the searches contain. Sometimes houses with no practical issues can still throw up adverse search results. But if you demand that your lawyer to proceed without searches then your lawyer will have to follow your instructions or you will need to change to another solicitor for your conveyancing in Cann Hall.

My wife and I have recently appointed a conveyancing solicitor in Cann Hall. I I am struggling to find out whether they are on the Godiva Mortgages Ltd conveyancing panel. Could you advise?

The first thing you should do is phone your lawyer and enquire whether they can act for the bank. Otherwise please get in touch with Godiva Mortgages Ltd who may be able to confirm.

Do I need to pay for insurance to address the risk of chancel repairs when purchasing a property in Cann Hall?

Unless a prior acquisition of the premises completed post 12 October 2013 you could take it that lawyers conducting conveyancing in Cann Hall to remain encouraging a chancel search and or chancel repair liability insurance.

I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £305k and found one near me in Cann Hall I like with open areas and railway links nearby, the downside is that it's only got 51 years on the lease. There is not much else in Cann Hall suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?

Should you require a home loan that many years may be an issue. Discount the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for at least 2 years you can request that they commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor concerning this.

What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Cann Hall conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a conveyancer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Cann Hall conveyancing practice) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggest that you speak with two or three firms including non Cann Hall conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be helpful:

Can they put you in touch with clients in Cann Hall who can give a testimonial?

I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord to extend my lease without success. Can one apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Cann Hall conveyancing firm to represent me?

You certainly can. We can put you in touch with a Cann Hall conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement decision for a Cann Hall flat is 36 New Wanstead in August 2010. The Tribunal arrived at a valuation of the premium for the freehold of £22,359. This case related to 2 flats. The number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 73.92 years.