At what point can the exchange of contracts take place for purchase conveyancing in Leicestershire and do I need to be at the lawyers office?

Where you are in close proximity to one of the conveyancing solicitors in Leicestershire you are welcome to attend to sign documents. However, the lender approved solicitors we work with supply a national conveyancing service and provide just as comprehensive and professional a job for you when communicating with you by post or email. The signing of the contract is not the point of no return. A signed contract is necessary for the conveyancer to exchange contracts at the suitable time, which is ordinarily shortly after signing. The exchange process is nowadays normally dealt with by telephone and can be very rapid, although where a long "chain" is in play, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Leicestershire)to be in the office at the appropriate time.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a quick, no chain conveyancing. Leicestershire is the location of the property. Is there any guidance you can give?

Flying freeholds in Leicestershire are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Leicestershire you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Leicestershire may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.

Am I right to be concerned that estate agents that I am dealing with are encouraging me to use a factory type conveyancing firm as opposed to a local Leicestershire conveyancing practice?

As is the case with lots of service providers, often referrals from connections can be extremely useful or valuable. Yet there are many players in a conveyancing deal; estate agents, financial adviser and banks might all suggest conveyancers to choose. On occasion the conveyancers might be known to one of the organisations as experts in their field, but sometimes there may be a commercial relationship behind the recommendation. You have the discretion to choose your preferred lawyer. You need to be aware that most banks have an approved list of lawyers you are obliged to use for the lender related work in your conveyancing.

I have just appointed agents to market my basement apartment in Leicestershire. Conveyancing has not commenced, but I have recently had a half-yearly maintenance charge invoice – Do I pay up?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should discharge the maintenance contribution as you normally would because all ground rent and service invoices will be apportioned as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

I purchased a ground floor flat in Leicestershire, conveyancing having been completed 6 years ago. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Equivalent properties in Leicestershire with a long lease are worth £176,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 per annum. The lease comes to an end on 21st October 2104

With only 80 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £8,600 and £9,800 plus costs.

The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to advice on a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed investigations. You should not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.

I am purchasing a leasehold property in Leicestershire. Conveyancing quotes are averaging around £1700. Is that in the right ballpark?

The average cost in 2014 for conveyancing in Leicestershire was £1,395 excluding Stamp Duty and HM Land Registry fees.