My partner and I have recently acquired a house in Mousehole. We have noticed several issues with the property which we suspect were overlooked in the conveyancing searches. Do we have any recourse? What searches should? have been carried out for conveyancing in Mousehole?

It is not clear from the question as to the nature of the problems and if they are unique to conveyancing in Mousehole. Conveyancing searches and investigations initiated during the legal transfer of property are designed to help avoid problems. As part of the process, the vendor answers a document called a Seller’s Property Information Form. If the information provided is inaccurate, you may have a misrepresentation claim against the owner for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Mousehole.

Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Mousehole before appointing conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor has said that some lenders tend refuse to issue a mortgage on a flying freehold premises.

It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different instructions for example to Nationwide. If you call us we can look into this further with the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Mousehole. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

My cousin has suggested that I use his conveyancers in Mousehole. Should I use them?

There are no two ways about it the best way to choose a conveyancing solicitor is to seek recommendations from friends or family who have actually previously instructed the conveyancer that you are considering.

I have recently realised that I have 68 years remaining on my flat in Mousehole. I now wish to get lease extension but my landlord is can not be found. What are my options?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be extended by the Court. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you have done all that could be expected to find the freeholder. On the whole an enquiry agent may be useful to carry out a search and prepare an expert document which can be used as proof that the freeholder can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a solicitor both on devolving into the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court overseeing Mousehole.

Mousehole Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

It would be sensible to find out as much as possible regarding the managing agents as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. As the proprietor of a leasehold property you will be at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to every day matters like the cleanliness of the common parts. Enquire of other tenants what they think of their service. Finally, be sure you know the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the appropriate party and precisely what it includes. The prefered form of lease arrangement is a share of the freehold. In this arrangement the lessees benefit from being in charge if their destiny and even though a managing agent is often employed where it is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent employed by the leaseholders. How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments?

Midway through the sale of a leasehold flat in Mousehole. Conveyancing solicitors are doing their job but we are being charged a fortune from the freeholder. So far we have paid £237 for a leasehold management information and then another £200 plus VAT for answers to queries raised by the purchaser's conveyancer.

Neither you or your conveyancing practitioner will have any sway over the extent of the bill for this information but the typical costs for the information for Mousehole leasehold premises is £355. For Mousehole conveyancing sales it is conventional for the seller to cover the costs. The freeholder or their agents are not duty bound to address such questions although many will agree to do so - albeit often at exorbitant prices where the fees bear little relation to the work involved. Regretfully there is no legislation that mandates fixed fees for administrative tasks. Neither is there any prescriptive time limit by which they are duty bound to supply answers.