My partner’s uncle is a property lawyer. I am hopeful that I'll be able to get friends and family rates for conveyancing, However if that does not come through, what level of figure should I be expecting for conveyancing in Lostwithiel?

It’s prudent to look for 3 or more like-for-like conveyancing estimates. Make use of our search tool on this page. You will notice that charges seem to contrast greatly but the service one can expect differ between solicitors as is true with most professions.

My fiance and I are purchasing a purpose built apartment in Lostwithiel with a residential mortgage from Nationwide Building Society.We like our Lostwithiel conveyancing lawyer but Nationwide Building Society says he's not on their approved list of member firms. We have to appoint a Nationwide Building Society panel solicitor or keep our local solicitor and fork out for a Nationwide Building Society panel lawyer to represent them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?

Unfortunately,no. The home loan issued to you is subject to its various provisions, a common one being that conveyancers must be on the Nationwide Building Society conveyancing panel. Until recently, most mortgage companies had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Nationwide Building Society

I am looking for a flat up to £235,500 and identified one close by in Lostwithiel I like with a park and railway links in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 51 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Lostwithiel suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a lease with such few years left?

If you need a mortgage that many years will likely be problematic. Discount the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you can ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor about this matter.

My partner has suggested that I appoint his conveyancers in Lostwithiel. Should I find my own property lawyer?

There are no two ways about it the best way to select a conveyancing practitioner is to seek feedback from friends or family who have actually previously instructed the conveyancer that you are contemplating using.

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my ground floor flat in Lostwithiel. Conveyancing is yet to be initiated, but I have recently had a half-yearly maintenance charge demand – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should clear the service charge as you normally would as all rents and service payments will be apportioned on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless 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. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

I am the registered owner of a studio flat in Lostwithiel, conveyancing was carried out in 2010. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Equivalent flats in Lostwithiel with an extended lease are worth £190,000. The ground rent is £65 invoiced annually. The lease runs out on 21st October 2085

With only 61 years remaining on your lease the likely cost is going to range between £19,000 and £22,000 as well as legals.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs without more comprehensive investigations. Do not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action placing reliance on this information without first getting professional advice.