My fiance and I are intent on purchasing a maisonette in Gerrards Cross. My lawyer is not listed on the mortgage company solicitor list. Is it possible for me to retain my Gerrards Cross conveyancing solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the lender panel?

Various options include

• Complete the deal with your existing Gerrards Cross conveyancer but your lender will no doubt retain a lawyer on their approved panel. This will result in additional charges and likely interruption.
• Appoint a fresh conveyancing practitioner to conduct the conveyancing, obviously checking they are on the mortgage company conveyancing panel.
• Appeal to your conveyancing practitioner to seek to join the lender panel

About to purchase a new build flat in Gerrards Cross. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Here are examples of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Gerrards Cross

Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose? If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. Please supply a car parking plan. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme.

I decided to have a survey completed on a property in Gerrards Cross in advance of retaining lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the property. The surveyor advised that some lenders will not give a loan on such a premises.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different instructions for example to Nationwide. If you contact us we can check with the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Gerrards Cross. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

As co-executor for the will of my aunt I am selling a residence in Monmouth but I am based in Gerrards Cross. My conveyancer (based 250 kilometers from meneeds me to execute a statutory declaration ahead of the transaction finalising. Can you recommend a conveyancing practitioner in Gerrards Cross to attest this legal document for me?

strictly speaking you are not likely to need to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or qualified solicitor will do regardless of whether they are Gerrards Cross based

I am tempted by the attractive purchase price for a two apartments in Gerrards Cross which have about 50 years remaining on the lease term. Should I regard a short lease as a deal breaker?

A lease is a right to use the premises for a period of time. As the lease shortens the marketability of the lease deteriorates and it becomes more costly to acquire a lease extension. This is why it is often a good idea to increase the term of the lease. It is often difficult to sell a property with a short lease because mortgage lenders may be unwilling to lend money on properties of this type. Lease extension can be a protracted process. We advise that you get professional assistance from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this field.

I own a basement flat in Gerrards Cross. Given that I can not reach agreement with the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the amount payable for the purchase of the freehold?

You certainly can. We are happy to put you in touch with a Gerrards Cross conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Gerrards Cross premises is Flats 8, 11 and 15 Craigmore Court 46 Murray Road in December 2013. The tribunal held that the price payable by the Applicant tenant of Flat 8 to acquire an extended lease shall be £26,438 plus £1 to the intermediate lessee . The tribunal held that the price payable by the Applicant tenants of Flat 11 to acquire an extended lease shall be £26,791 plus £1 to the intermediate lessee. The tribunal held that the price payable by the Applicant tenant of Flat 15 to acquire an extended lease shall be £26,638 plus £1 to the intermediate lessee . This case affected 3 flats. The unexpired term was 71 years.