I hired a local solicitor for my conveyancing in Poplar yesterday. Going through the Terms and Conditions it is apparent thatI am liable for charges even if our purchase aborts. Should I ditch them and appoint an internet firm who offer no completion no charge conveyancing in Poplar?

It is usually a trade off in that if "No Completion No Fee" is available then the conveyancing charges will tend to be be uplifted to counteract those conveyances that abort. Dont forget that such arrangements rarely cover outlay such your Poplar conveyancing search costs.

I own a freehold residence in Poplar but nevertheless charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Poplar and has limited impact for conveyancing in Poplar 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 creation of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence after 2037 will be extinguished.

My friend recommended that if I am buying in Poplar I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

This is a search is usually quoted for as part of the standard Poplar conveyancing searches. It is a large document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing important information about Poplar around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Poplar Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime statistics, Poplar Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data regarding Poplar.

How does conveyancing in Poplar differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Poplar come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is completed. This is because new home sellers in Poplar tend to buy 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 property lawyers 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 Poplar or who has acted in the same development.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I put an offer in last month in what was supposed to be a quick, chain free conveyancing. Poplar is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Poplar are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Poplar you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Poplar may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.