We are due to complete buying a property in Leyland but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have managed to agree compensation from the owner in the sum of £3k by way of a adjustment in the price. I had intended this to be dealt with as part of amending the contract however Aldermore will not permit this. Should they have been notified?

Your conveyancer that is on a Aldermore conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Aldermore of any changes to the purchase price. If you prohibit your property lawyer to disclose the reduction to Aldermore then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, Aldermore and you would have to appoint a new conveyancing practitioner for your conveyancing in Leyland.

We note that you have a search directory listing firms on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a referral fee if I appoint them for our conveyancing in Leyland?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Leyland.

The deeds to our property are lost. The solicitors who dealt with the conveyancing in Leyland 5 years ago are no longer around. What are my next steps?

You no longer need to have the physical original deeds to prove you are the owner of your registered land or property, given that the Land Registry have everything they need in a digital format.

I have been recommended by a number of estate agents in Leyland to find a solicitor using your seach tool. What’s the financial upside for Estate Agents to promote your lawyers over and above another?

We don’t give any referral fee for sending work in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult a fee as a client could think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

What advice can you give us when it comes to choosing a Leyland conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a conveyancer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Leyland conveyancing practice) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you speak with several firms including non Leyland conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions could be of use:

How experienced is the firm with lease extension legislation? Can they put you in touch with clients in Leyland who can give a testimonial?

I bought a 1 bedroom flat in Leyland, conveyancing formalities finalised 9 years ago. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Corresponding flats in Leyland with an extended lease are worth £165,000. The ground rent is £50 levied per year. The lease finishes on 21st October 2102

With just 77 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to span between £7,600 and £8,800 as well as plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The figure above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to advice on a more accurate figure without more detailed investigations. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action placing reliance on this information before getting professional advice.