I am hoping to receive a mortgage offer from Halifax. I hope to retain the legal services of a Licensed Conveyancer in Lambeth. Does the Halifax Solicitor panel exclude conveyancers regulated by the CLC?

The Halifax approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders, represented by the Council or Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the CLC.

I am the registered owner of a freehold premises in Lambeth but still invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Lambeth and has limited impact for conveyancing in Lambeth but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Previous rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence after 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.

I need some fast conveyancing in Lambeth as I am faced with an ultimatum to complete in less than one month. A mortgage is not required. Can I avoid the conveyancing searches to save fees and time?

As you are are a cash purchaser you have the choice not to do searches although no lawyer would advise that you don't. Drawing on our experience of conveyancing in Lambeth the following are instances of issues that can arise and adversely impact market value: Enforcement Actions, Overdue Fees, Overdue Grants, Railway Schemes,...

Am I better off to instruct a Lambeth conveyancing solicitor based in the vicinity that I am hoping to buy? I have an old university friend who can execute the legal work however they are based over three hundred miles away.

The benefit of a local Lambeth conveyancing firm is that you can visit the firm to sign documents, hand in your identification documents and apply pressure on them if necessary. Having local Lambeth know how is a benefit. However nothing is more important than finding someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If if people you trust instructed your friend and the majority were happy that must trump using an unknown Lambeth conveyancing solicitor solely due to them being local.

What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Lambeth conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Lambeth conveyancing practice) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you speak with several firms including non Lambeth conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions could be of use:

Can they put you in touch with clients in Lambeth who can give a testimonial? What are the costs for lease extension work?

We have reached the end of our tether in negotiating a lease extension in Lambeth. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

Most definitely. We can put you in touch with a Lambeth conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a Lambeth flat is Flats 12A & 19, Evelyn Mansions Carlisle Place in June 2009. The Tribunal held that the price to be paid for the new lease of Flat 12A is £168,824, For the other flat the price was set at £169,110 This case was in relation to 2 flats. The remaining number of years on the lease was 56 years.