My previous solicitor has sent a quote for £1700 for no completion no fee conveyancing in Old Windsor. I’m hoping to downsize from a modern detached home for £225,000. Are these estimated fees excessive? Is it in excess of the average fee for conveyancing in Old Windsor?

The estimate does seem marginally steep. If you shop around you might decrease the fees marginally by as much as £125. That being said, you maylive to regret opting for an an untested conveyancer. Remember to ensure that the firm can also act for your mortgage company. Do employ our comparison tool to select a Old Windsor conveyancing practice on the banks approved list of lawyers which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Old Windsor.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified as part of conveyancing in Old Windsor?

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Old Windsor. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

How does conveyancing in Old Windsor differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Old Windsor contact us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is finished. This is because new home sellers in Old Windsor typically purchase the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Old Windsor or who has acted in the same development.

I am looking for a ground for flat up to £195,000 and found one round the corner in Old Windsor I like with a park and transport links in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 49 years on the lease. There is not much else in Old Windsor in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a lease with such few years left?

Should you need a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term may be an issue. Reduce 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 commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer concerning this.

We have chosen a Old Windsor conveyancing solicitor for our house purchase (novice purchasers) and have picked up in the engagement letter that they are not governed by the Financial Conduct Authority. Need I be worried or is that standard with solicitor?

We can't see why they should be. Most conveyancing practitioner don't lend money. You should check that they are governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, who dictate stringent obligations in place on monies sitting in their bank.