We expect to receive a DIP from HSBC this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do HSBC recommend any Cuffley solicitors on the HSBC conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?

You will need to appoint Cuffley solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the HSBC conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and HSBC through the process.

My fiancee and I are at the point of viewing apartments in Cuffley and I am about to put in an offer. Is it sensible to have my conveyancing practitioner on ‘stand by’? I intend to finance via a home loan with Santander.

It would be wise to start your search sooner rather than later. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their details on to the estate agent. As you are obtaining a mortgage with Santander, ask your prospective lawyers if they are on the Santander conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.

Leeds Building Society have agreed my mortgage in principle, my bid on a property in Cuffley has been agreed to, now what?

Your property agent will wish to be advised as to your property lawyer's details (ensure that the lawyers are on the bank’s panel). Contact Leeds Building Society or the broker and finalise any outstanding paperwork. Leeds Building Society will instruct a valuer who will get in contact with the selling agent or vendor to schedule an appointment. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a week to get a mortgage offer. Leeds Building Society will send the offer to you and your conveyancing practitioners. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Cuffley.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Cuffley?

Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Cuffley. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

I have been on the look out for a flat up to £305k and found one round the corner in Cuffley I like with amenity areas and transport links nearby, the downside is that it's only got 61 years on the lease. There is not much else in Cuffley for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a short lease?

Should you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be a potential deal breaker. Discount the price by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for at least twenty four months you could request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.

How do I identify a Cuffley law firm on the Halifax conveyancing panel? I have wheels and am happy to travel upto 25kilometers to meet the lawyer.

You can use the search on this page. Please choose the mortgage company and your location and you will see a number of Cuffley conveyancing lawyers located nearest you. We have listed some Cuffley conveyancing firms towards the end of this page and you can call them to check whether they are on the Halifax approved list

I am hoping to complete next month on a ground floor flat in Cuffley. Conveyancing solicitors have said that they are sending me a report next week. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Cuffley should include some of the following:

The landlord’s rights to access the premises. You should be made aware that your landlord has rights of access as well as be informed how much notice must be provided. The unexpired lease term. You should receive guidance as what happens when the lease expires, and informed of the importance of not letting the lease term falling below eighty years Rent payments - what is due and when you need to pay, and also know whether this is subject to change Do you need to have carpet in the flat or are you allowed wood flooring? Where does the liability rest for maintaining the window frames

Cuffley Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing

Who manages the block? How is the lease structured?