Is the fact that my solicitor in Lewisham is not identified on my bank's solicitor panel that there is a problem with the quality of the firm’s work?

That is more than likely a wrong assumption to make. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. Just recently a report by the solicitors regulator revealed that over three quarters of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 5 reasons are as follows: (1) low volume of transactions (2) the solicitor is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should simply call the Lewisham conveyancing practice and enquire why they are no longer on the approved list for your lender.

Do I need to pay for insurance to address the risk of chancel repairs when purchasing a residence in Lewisham?

Unless a prior purchase of the property took place post 12 October 2013 you could expect conveyancing practitioners carrying out conveyancing in Lewisham to remain encouraging a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build apartment in Lewisham. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

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

Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared. Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose? The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company?

Over the last few months I have been searching for a flat up to £305k and identified one round the corner in Lewisham I like with open areas and station nearby, the downside is that it only has 52 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Lewisham 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 a potential deal breaker. Discount the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for at least 2 years you can request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer about this matter.

Due to complete next month on a studio apartment in Lewisham. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they report fully within the next couple of days. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Lewisham should include some of the following:

Repair and maintenance of the flat It needs to be made clear to you whether the lease allows you to add or improve anything in the premises- you should know whether any restrictions applies to all alterations or just structural alteration, and whether consent is required Details of the parties to the lease, for instance these could be the lessee, head lessor, landlord Information as to the provision in the lease to to contribute towards maintenance costs - with regard to both the building, and the more general rights a tenant enjoys Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your property and do you know what it means in practice?

I have had difficulty in trying to purchase the freehold in Lewisham. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

Absolutely. We can put you in touch with a Lewisham conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a Lewisham residence is 73 Walerand Road in August 2012. the result of the findings of the Tribunal led to a premium to be paid for the extended lease in respect of Flat 73 in the sum of £10,040. The premium applicable in respect of Flat 85 was £5,710. This case was in relation to 2 flats. The unexpired lease term was 72 years.