I have given 8 weeks notice to my current landlord and must be out of my let out flat in Oldham by the end of next month. Conveyancing on my purchase is underway. Can I complete in three weeks as I wish to avoid having to move into temporary accommodation?

Generally one should not give notice on a rental unless exchange of contracts has taken place. If you have not already done so, contact to your solicitor and urge them to they seek the assistance the owners side, try to an agreed time frame that all parties will look towards

I own a freehold house in Oldham but nevertheless invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Oldham and has limited impact for conveyancing in Oldham but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Old rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be extinguished.

My fiance and I are buying a 1 bedroom flat in Oldham with a residential mortgage from .We would like to retain our Oldham conveyancing solicitor but advised that her practice is not listed on their approved list of member firms. we are left little option but to use a panel solicitor or retain our local solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; Can we not simply insist that use our lawyer?

Unfortunately,no. The home loan issued to you is subject to its terms and conditions, a common one being that conveyancers must be on the conveyancing panel. Until recently, most banks had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could find one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for

I have recentlydiscovered that Stirling Law have been shut down. They conducted my conveyancing in Oldham for a purchase of a freehold house 18 months ago. How can I be sure that my home is not still registered in the name of the previous owner?

The easiest way to see if the property is registered to you, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Oldham conveyancing specialists.

Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Oldham in advance of instructing lawyers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the property. My surveyor advised that some mortgage companies will not issue a mortgage on a flying freehold property.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different requirements from Halifax. If you call us we can check with the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Oldham. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.