Why would I appoint a Kensington conveyancing company given that national alternatives are cheap by comparison?

Its a good idea to scrutinise conveyancing costs in Kensington and you should seek an affordable quote but don’t waste your energy sourcing the cheapest Kensington conveyancer. Appointing the right conveyancer can be the difference between a smooth and a stressful house move. It is important that you ensure that you have expert guidance from a trusted solicitor. An e-mail can never replace a phone conversation and can never replicate a one to one consultation. The firms that we work with will appoint you a qualified and trusted conveyancing solicitor who can tackle your conveyancing from beginning to end, providing a level of hand holding that you are unlikely to received from an web based conveyancer. He or She will inform you on any developments making sure that you are never in the dark. Should you need to contact the office you will be sure who you need to speak to and they will be sure you're not left wondering what's going on.

My conveyancer has discovered a defect with the lease for the flat we are purchasing in Kensington. The other side have suggested title insurance as a solution. We are content with insurance and will cover the costs. Our lawyer says that he must be satisfied that the bank is happy with this solution. Are we the client or is the lender?

The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the potential for a conflict of interest, you and the mortgage company are the client. Your conveyancer must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook provisions. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects with the lease so that the lender can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your solicitor will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.

Finally the sale completed on my house in Kensington last May yet the purchaser is e-mailing daily complaining that their lawyer needs to hear from mine. What are the post completion sale legalities now that I have sold?

Post completion of your disposal your solicitor is committed to send the transfer documentation and all additional paperwork to the buyer’s conveyancer. If applicable, your solicitor should also send confirmation that the mortgage has been paid off to the purchasers solicitors. There are no post completion formalities just for conveyancing in Kensington.

I am buying a new build apartment in Kensington. 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 legal work.

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

Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. 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 Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. Please supply a car parking plan. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company?

I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and found one near me in Kensington I like with a park and station nearby, the downside is that it only has 52 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Kensington for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?

Should you need a mortgage that many years may be an issue. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current owner has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you can request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this.