What is the first thing I need to know concerning purchase conveyancing in Norbury?

Not many law firms shout this from the rooftops but conveyancing in Norbury and elsewhere in England and Wales is an adversarial process. In other words, when it comes to conveyancing there is lots of opportunity for friction between you and others involved in the legal transfer of property. For instance, the seller, selling agent and on occasion a mortgage company. Choosing a solicitor for your conveyancing in Norbury is a critical decision as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the SOLE person in the legal process whose role it is to look after your best interests and to keep you safe.

Every so often a potential adversary will attempt to sway you that it is in your interests to do things their way. For instance, the estate agent may claim to be helping by suggesting your lawyer is slow. Or your mortgage broker may tell you to do something that is against your lawyers advice. You should always trust your lawyer above all other parties when it comes to the legal transfer of property.

My wife and I purchasing a terrace house in Norbury. Our aim is to carry out a loft conversion at the house.Will the conveyancing process include enquiries to see if these works are allowed?

Your property lawyer will review the deeds as conveyancing in Norbury can on occasion identify restrictions in the title documents which restrict categories of works or necessitated the permission of another owner. Certain extensions require local authority planning permissions and approval under the building regulations. Some locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or impact extensions. It would be wise to check these things with a surveyor before you commit yourself to a purchase.

I'm the single recipient of my late mum's will with all property in now in my sole name, including the my former home in Norbury. The Norbury property was put into my name in March. I now wish to sell up. I do know about the CML 6 month 'rule', which means that my property ownership may be regarded the same way as if I'd bought the property in March. Do I have to wait half a year to sell?

The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ handbook mandates conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." By the strict wording you might be affected by that. How sensible a view mortgage companies take of it, depend on the lender as this requirement chiefly exists to pick up on subsales or the flipping of property.

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Norbury off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Clydesdale. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Clydesdale, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel.

What does a local search inform me concerning the property I am buying in Norbury?

Norbury conveyancing often starts with the ordering local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search organisations such as PSG The local search plays an important part in many a Norbury conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any unpleasant surprises after you move into your property. The search should supply data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen subject areas.

I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and found one round the corner in Norbury I like with a park and transport links nearby, however it's only got 52 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Norbury suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a short lease?

If you require a mortgage that many years will likely be problematic. Discount the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you can ask them to start the process of the extension 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 speak to your conveyancing solicitor about this matter.

I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing solicitor in Norbury for my home move. Is it possible to see a firm’s record with the legal regulator?

Members of the public can review documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions stemming from investigations commenced on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For details Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA sometimes monitor call for training purposes.