My fiance’s dad is a conveyancer. I suspect that I will be offered friends and family rates for conveyancing, However if that does not come materialise, what level of figure would I typically be looking at for conveyancing in Notting Hill?

It’s wise to seek 3 or more like-for-like conveyancing estimates. Do use our comparison tool on this site. The fees do be different but service levels do differ between conveyancers as is the case with most professions.

Having invested time reviewing mumsnet.com for a cheap solicitor in Notting Hill, many advise that I must use a CQS assured solicitor. What is CQS?

Notting Hill Conveyancing Quality Scheme practices have obtained certification by the law Society CQS was brought about to establish evidence of quality standards in the home moving process. CQS enables home movers to recognise practices that provide a quality residential conveyancing. Notting Hill is one of locations in England and Wales in which CQS are located. The scheme obliges solicitors to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self-certification, random audits and yearly assessments in order to maintain CQS status. It is available to solicitors and not licensed conveyancers and has the support of the Association of British Insurers.

A friend advised me that where I am buying in Notting Hill I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

A search of this type is sometimes included in the estimate for your Notting Hill conveyancing searches. It is not a small report of about 40 pages, listing and setting out important information about Notting Hill around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data concerning Notting Hill.

About to purchase a new build apartment in Notting Hill. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Notting Hill

Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme.

I was recommended by a number of estate agents in Notting Hill to find a property lawyer on your site. Is there a financial upside for Estate Agents to market your lawyers ahead of alternative conveyancing organisations?

We refuse to make any commission for pointing buyers and sellers in our direction. We thought it would be too underhand a fee because home movers will think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.