I have been referred to a conveyancing solicitor in Maze Hill. I need to find out if they are accepted on the Chelsea Building Society conveyancing panel. Can you help?

The first thing to do is contact your conveyancer and enquire whether they can act for the bank. Alternatively you should call Chelsea Building Society who may be able to confirm.

It has been 4 months following my purchase conveyancing in Maze Hill took place. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £150,000 when infact I paid £215,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the residence from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I put an offer in last month in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Maze Hill is where the house is located. Is there any advice you can give?

Flying freeholds in Maze Hill are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Maze Hill you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Maze Hill may determine 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 residence.

I only have Fifty years left on my lease in Maze Hill. I am keen to get lease extension but my freeholder is absent. What should I do?

If you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be lengthened by the Court. You will be obliged to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have done all that could be expected to find the lessor. In some cases an enquiry agent should be helpful to try and locate and prepare an expert document to be used as evidence that the landlord can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer in relation to devolving into the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court overseeing Maze Hill.

We have reached the end of our tether in trying to purchase the freehold in Maze Hill. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

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

An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Maze Hill property 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 related to 2 flats. The unexpired lease term was 72 years.

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have since discovered that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a leasehold house in Maze Hill. Conveyancing solicitors have not yet been instructed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Maze Hill are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Maze Hill in which case you should be shopping around for a Maze Hill conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the landlord’sconsent to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your conveyancer should appraise you on the various issues.