I am looking for a flat up to £235,500 and identified one near me in Kingsbury I like with open areas and transport links in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 51 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Kingsbury in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?

Should you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease may be an issue. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for at least 2 years you could 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 term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.

Should I be wary by third parties that I am dealing with are suggesting a web based conveyancing firm rather than a local Kingsbury conveyancing firm?

As is the case with many professional services, often input from connections can be extremely useful or valuable. Nevertheless there are lots of parties with a keen interest in a conveyancing transaction; estate agents, mortgage brokers and banks might all recommend solicitors to retain. Sometimes the solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but sometimes there might be a commercial relationship behind the recommendation. You are at liberty to appoint your own lawyer. Don't forget that the majority of banks have an approved list of lawyers you have to use for the lender aspect of your home move.

I am looking for a conveyancing solicitor in Kingsbury for my house move. Is there any facility to see a solicitor's complaints history with the profession’s regulator?

You can see documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations stemming from inquisitions started on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors history, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may monitor call for training reasons.

Due to complete next month on a basement flat in Kingsbury. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they report fully tomorrow. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Kingsbury should include some of the following:

Where does the liability rest to repair and maintain the building. It is important for you to know which party is responsible the repair and maintenance of every part of the building You need to be told what is to be regarded as a Nuisance as far as the lease is concerned Are you allowed to have a pet in the flat? The length of the lease term. You should be advised as what happens when the lease expires, and informed of the importance of not letting the lease term falling below eighty years Changes to the premises

I have had difficulty in trying to purchase the freehold in Kingsbury. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on premiums?

in cases where there is a missing landlord or if there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to make a decision on the sum to be paid.

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Kingsbury premises is 27B Hillside in February 2010. the resulting premium, all other aspects of the valuation having been agreed between the parties was set at £8,250 This case was in relation to 1 flat. The unexpired term was 70.25 years.

My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Kingsbury. I I would like to check if they are on the bank's approved list of lawyers. Can you or the bank confirm if they are on the panel?

One option is to contact the solicitor and ask them if they are on the bank's approved list. Alternatively please get in touch with us and we can make some checks for you. Should the firm not be on the conveyancing panel we can certainly arrange a specialist conveyancing solicitor in Kingsbury on the panel for your mortgage company.