I am thinking of mortgaging my property in Harlow, does my lawyer have to be on the Aldermore Solicitor panel?

There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor, but Aldermore will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is much more potential for delays and confusion with two solicitors involved, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a ground for flat up to £245,000 and identified one round the corner in Harlow I like with open areas and railway links nearby, the downside is that it only has 49 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Harlow in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a lease with such few years left?

Should you require a home loan the shortness of the lease will likely be a potential deal breaker. Discount 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 at least 2 years you may request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.

Taking into account that I will soon part with hundreds of thousands of pounds on a house in Harlow I wish to talk to a lawyer about myhouse move prior to giving the go ahead to the firm. Is this something that you can arrange?

We could not agree more - we would be happy to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you first talking to the conveyancer who will be carrying out your property ownership legalities in Harlow.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is an important individual, not a matter number. The practices that we put you in touch with believe that the fees you are calculated and presented to you for your conveyancing in Harlow should be the figure that you are charged.

I've found a house that appears to tick a lot of boxes, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have since been informed that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Harlow. Conveyancing solicitors have are about to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Harlow are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Harlow so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Harlow conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the landlord’spermission to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the house is part of an estate. Your conveyancer will advise you fully on all the issues.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Harlow - Examples of Queries before buying

It is important to be aware if a new roof is being installed or some other significant cost is due shortly that will be shared amongst the leaseholders and may well dramatically increase the the service costs or require a specific payment. How much is the ground rent and service charge?

Online reading suggests that Harlow solicitors are more expensive than licensed conveyancers in Harlow when it comes to buying a property. So is it better if I use a conveyancer or a solicitor where I am purchasing for my home move in Harlow.

When it comes to conveyancing in Harlow the costs are unlikely to vary dramatically depending on whether the legal expert is a licenced conveyancer or solicitor.