I am in the market for a low cost property lawyer. Should I go for for a national conveyancer rather than a high street Handsworth conveyancing lawyer?

Handsworth is a unique place, where neighbourhood insight helps. The relaxed pace of life has an upside – but not for your conveyancing. The conveyancers that we work with host a wealth of Handsworth knowledge with a positive, can doattitude that helps everything runs smoothly. It is a definite plus where they benefit from long term rapport with mortgage brokers, estate agents, surveyors and counterpart Handsworth conveyancing firms

I am downsizing from our property in Handsworth and according to the buyers it appears that there is a risk of it being constructed land that was not decontaminated. A high street Handsworth conveyancer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the buyers instructed a factory type conveyancing outfit as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Handsworth. Having lived in Handsworth for three years we know that this is a non issue. Do we contact our local Authority to seek confirmation that the buyers are looking for.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing solicitor currently acting for you. Are they able to advise? You need to check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same illness)

I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and identified one round the corner in Handsworth I like with a park and station in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 49 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Handsworth in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a short lease?

If you require a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be an issue. Discount the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current owner has owned the premises for at least 2 years you could request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.

How does the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 impact my business property in Handsworth and how can your lawyers assist?

The particular law that you refer to gives a safeguard to business leaseholders, granting the dueness to apply to court for a renewal tenancy and continue in occupation when the lease comes to an end. There are limited grounds where a landlord can refrain from granting a lease renewal and the rules are complicated. Fees are different for commercial conveyancing. Handsworth is one of our many areas of the UK in which the firms we work with are based

Do I stop the direct debit for my mortgage with Kent Reliance as soon as a completion date for my home sale in Handsworth has been agreed?

You are best advised to maintain paying any mortgage sums to Kent Reliance pending the mortgage being discharged from the proceeds of sale as part of your Handsworth conveyancing.