I have been told that property searches are a common reason for delay in Haringey house deals. Is there any truth in this?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released conclusions of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure within the top 10 causes of delays in the conveyancing process. Searches are not likely to be the root cause of slowing down conveyancing in Haringey.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified as part of conveyancing in Haringey?

Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Haringey. 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…’

About to purchase a new build flat in Haringey. Conveyancing is a frightening process 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.

Set out below are examples of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Haringey

Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? 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. Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme.

I am looking for a flat up to £235,500 and identified one near me in Haringey I like with amenity areas and transport links in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 49 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Haringey for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a lease with such few years left?

Should you need a home loan that many years will be problematic. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you could request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor concerning this.

As a leasehold owner I am on the hook for a maintenance fee for my ground floor flat in Haringey. Due to losing my job and personal issues I fell behind with remittance. I negotiated a clearance schedule but there remains approximately £2000 due to be paid.

I want to sell and I am worried this could threaten to derail the sale if I have to pay off the arrears in advance. I'd like to sell up and subsequently pay them back with the completion monies - is this practicable?

Your property lawyer will hopefully be in a position to negotiate with the appropriate parties, with a new to seeing if they would accept settlement from completion monies. Here is an example of why it might be good to instruct a conveyancing practitioner in Haringey as they are likely to enjoy an established relationship with the management company.