I have given 2 months notice to my existing landlord and have to be out of my rented flat in Crabtree by the end of next month. Conveyancing on my purchase has just started. How realistic is it to complete in a couple of weeks as I wish to avoid having to move into short term accommodation?

Generally one should not serve notice for your tenancy unless exchange of contracts has taken place. If you have not previously done so, contact to your solicitor and urge them to they apply pressure on the owners side, try to a target completion date that all parties will work to achieve

What is your number one tip for finding a conveyancing solicitor in Crabtree

We would encourage you not to go for the cheapest Crabtree conveyancing costs illustration. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

Last month we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Principality. Crabtree conveyancing practitioners have been appointed. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from Principality?

Some lenders take longer than others. Have Principality conducted the valuation? Have you advised Principality as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Principality conveyancing panel? Sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued.

After months of negotiation I have agreed a price on an apartment in Crabtree. My financial adviser suggested a property lawyer. I paid an on account payment of £200. Shortly after, the property lawyer contacted me embarrassingly acknowledging that they were not on the Nottingham conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?

You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the Nottingham panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.

Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Crabtree in advance of instructing lawyers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. Our surveyor advised that some banks tend refuse to issue a loan on a flying freehold house.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different instructions from Halifax. If you call us we can check with the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Crabtree. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Crabtree to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

My father has suggested that I use his lawyers for conveyancing in Crabtree. Should I use them?

No doubt it’s preferable to select a conveyancing practitioner is to have guidance from friends or family who have previously instructed the solicitor that you are contemplating using.

I've found a house that appears to meet my requirements, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns buying a leasehold house in Crabtree. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Crabtree are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area who can assist with the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Crabtree in which case you should be looking for a Crabtree conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the freeholder’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the estate where the property is part of an estate. Your solicitor will appraise you on the various issues.

Crabtree Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Queries before buying

The prefered form of lease arrangement is where the freehold reversion is in the ownership of the leaseholders. In this arrangement the lessees enjoy control and although a managing agent is frequently employed if the building is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent is directed by the tenants. Is there a share of the freehold? The majority of Crabtree leasehold properties will be liable to pay a service bill for the upkeep of the block invoiced on behalf of the landlord. Where you purchase the flat you will have to meet this charge, normally in instalments accross the year. This could be anything from two or three hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for large purpose-built buildings. In all likelihood there will be a ground rent to be met annual, ordinarily this is not a large amount, say approximately £50-£100 but you need to check it because on occasion it can be prohibitively expensive.