I am under pressure from the mortgagee in possession of a property in Leiston to complete within four weeks. What can I do to expedite matters?

First, If you are under time constraints to sign contracts it is highly recommended that your lawyer is familiar with the area as they will benefit local connections and knowledge. It is possible that they may have conducted otherhouses in the same street. Therefore consider using a Leiston conveyancing solicitor. Second, ensure that the conveyancing firm is on the member panel. It is estimated that just under twenty per cent of Leiston conveyancing deals are frustrated or jeopardised after discovering a purchaser’s lawyer was not on their mortgage lender’s member panel. In many cases this discovery resulted in the conveyancing being frustrated by an average of three weeks. It is said that this issue affects approximately one hundred thousand home sales annually. Almost all Leiston conveyancing firms can not represent certain mortgage companies so do check as early as possible.

We wanted to use a property lawyer in Leiston for our house move. Our financial adviser informed us that our mortgage company won't deal with them. Why is this not regarded as unduly restrictive?

A mortgage company may direct that a panel solicitor act for it. You would be liable to meet the cost of this. Please make use of our directory service to select a solicitor to conduct conveyancing in Leiston on the approved list of solicitors.

I have been told that property searches are a common reason for hinderance in Leiston conveyancing transactions. Is that correct?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) has noted the findings of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature within the top 10 causes of delays in the conveyancing process. Local searches are not likely to feature in any slowing down conveyancing in Leiston.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Leiston is the location of the property. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Leiston are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Leiston you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Leiston may decide 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 premises.

I own a leasehold flat in Leiston. Conveyancing and mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1993. The conveyancing solicitor in Leiston who acted for me is not around. What should I do?

The first thing you should do is make enquiries of HMLR to be sure that this person is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to incur the fees of a Leiston conveyancing practitioner to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

Leiston Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing

How much is the maintenance charge and ground rent on the apartment? You should want to discover as much as possible regarding the company managing the block as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you are often in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to day to day matters like the upkeep of the communal areas. Enquire of prospective neighbours what they think of their service. In conclusion, find out the dates that the maintenance charges are due to the managing agents and specifically what it includes.