It is 10 years ago since I acquired my property in Cudham. Conveyancing solicitors have now been instructed on the sale but I am unable to find my deeds. Will this jeopardise the sale?

Don’t worry too much. First there is a possibility that the deeds will be retained by the lender or they could be in the possession of the conveyancers who handled the purchase. Secondly in most cases the property will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing lawyers acquiring current official copies of the land registers. Most conveyancing in Cudham relates to registered property but in the unlikely event that your home is unregistered it adds to the complexity but is not insurmountable.

How does conveyancing in Cudham differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Cudham approach 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 Cudham tend to purchase the real estate, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 used to new build conveyancing in Cudham or who has acted in the same development.

Is it best to instruct a Cudham conveyancing solicitor in close proximity to the house I am buying? An old friend can handle the legal work but his firm is located approximately 350miles away.

The benefit of a local Cudham conveyancing practice is that you can pop in to execute documents, hand in your identification documents and apply pressure on them where appropriate. They will also have local knowledge which is a plus. That being said it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If you know people who used your friend and the majority were happy that should outweigh using an unknown Cudham conveyancing solicitor just because they are based in the area.

I’m about to sell my ground floor apartment in Cudham. Conveyancing has not commenced, but I have recently received a half-yearly maintenance charge demand – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

The sensible thing to do is pay the maintenance contribution as normal as all ground rent and maintenance invoices will be apportioned on completion, so you will be reimbursed 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.

I inherited a 1 bedroom flat in Cudham, conveyancing was carried out 3 years ago. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Corresponding flats in Cudham with over 90 years remaining are worth £165,000. The ground rent is £45 per annum. The lease finishes on 21st October 50

With 50 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £36,100 and £41,800 as well as legals.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs in the absence of comprehensive due diligence. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be other concerns that need to be considered and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.

Is there an average legal costs for conveyancing in Cudham?

The average cost last year for conveyancing in Cudham was just under one thousand five hundred pounds not including Land Tax and Land Registry fees.