I have given 8 weeks notice to my current landlord and must vacate my rented property in Crossness by the end of next month. Conveyancing for my house purchase is underway. Can I complete in 5 weeks as don't want to have to move into short term accommodation?

It is unwise to provide notice for your tenancy unless exchange of contracts has taken place. Assuming that you have not already done so, speak to your solicitor and ask them to they chase the other side, try to get a realistic time scale from them that all parties will look to achieve

I am planning to acquire a flat and require a conveyancing solicitor in Crossness who is on the TSB approved. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a solicitor?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for TSB in certain locations such as Crossness. We dont recommend any particular firm.

We are purchasing a house and the conveyancer has raised the issue of Chancel Repair to which the house may be liable given it’s proximity to the area of such a church. He has suggested insurance. Is this really required for conveyancing in Crossness

Unless a previous acquisition of the house took place post 12 October 2013 you can take it that lawyers handling conveyancing in Crossness to remain encouraging a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

How does conveyancing in Crossness differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Crossness come to us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is finished. This is because developers in Crossness tend to buy the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Crossness or who has acted in the same development.

I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord to extend my lease without any joy. Can a leaseholder make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Crossness conveyancing firm to assist?

Where there is a missing landlord or if there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 it is possible to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to make a decision on the premium.

An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Crossness premises is Various @ Colombus Square in January 2012. the Tribunal calculated the premiums to be paid for new leases for each of the flats in Mariners Walk to be £3822 and the premium to be paid for the new lease of 2 Knights Court to be £4439. This case was in relation to 13 flats. The unexpired term was 76 years.

Are there frequently found deficiencies that you come across in leases for Crossness properties?

There is nothing unique about leasehold conveyancing in Crossness. Most leases are drafted differently and drafting errors can result in certain clauses are wrong. The following missing provisions could result in a defective lease:

A provision for the recovery of money spent for the benefit of another party. Insurance obligations

A defective lease can cause problems when trying to sell a property as they can affect a potential buyer’s ability to obtain a mortgage. Barclays , Barnsley Building Society, and Godiva Mortgages Ltd all have very detailed requirements when it comes to what is expected in a lease. Where a lender has been advised by their lawyers that the lease is defective they may refuse to provide security, forcing the buyer to withdraw.