Just contacted my conveyancing solicitor in Repton who acted for me two years ago and wanted a conveyancing costs illustration based on an identical type of home move (a leasehold property and a freehold premises) of almost identical values with a loan from Santander. It looks as though am now being charged double. Am I right to be tempted to shop around for an alternative property lawyer?

The estimate does seem a little steep. If you you were to look around you might get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by perhaps a hundred pounds. That being said, if you were happy with the assistance the firm gave you couldcome to rue opting for an an unknown solicitor. Don't forget to be sure the firm can also act for Santander. Do utilise our search tool to find a Repton conveyancing firm on the Santander conveyancing panel, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Repton.

About to purchase a new build flat in Repton. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Repton

Please supply evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal.

How simple is it to use your search facility to get a costs illustration from a conveyancing lawyer in Repton on the panel for my lender?

First choose a mortgage company such as National Westminster Bank, The Royal Bank of Scotland or Godiva Mortgages Ltd then specify your location for example Repton. Conveyancing organisations in Repton and nationally will then be listed.

Am I better off to appoint a Repton conveyancing lawyer in close proximity to the house I am buying? I have an old university friend who can execute the legal formalities but his firm is located over three hundred miles away.

The primary upside of using a high street Repton conveyancing firm is that you can attend the office to execute paperwork, present your identification documents and apply pressure on them if necessary. They will also have local knowledge which is a bonus. However it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If other friends have instructed your friend and the majority were content that must outweigh using an unfamiliar Repton conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being local.

I am employed by a long established estate agency in Repton where we have witnessed a number of leasehold sales derailed due to short leases. I have been given contradictory information from local Repton conveyancing solicitors. Could you confirm whether the seller of a flat can initiate the lease extension process for the purchaser on completion of the sale?

As long as the seller has owned the lease for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to kick-start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the buyer can avoid having to wait 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment has to be done before, or simultaneously with completion of the sale.

Alternatively, it may be possible to extend the lease informally by agreement with the landlord either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the purchaser.

Repton Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries Prior to Purchasing

You should want to discover as much as possible regarding the managing agents as they will either make your living at the property much easier or problematic. Being a leasehold owner you are often in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to day to day issues such as the cleanliness of the common parts. Enquire of other tenants whether they are happy with their management. Finally, be sure you know the dates that the maintenance fees are due to the appropriate party and precisely what you get for your money. How many years remain on the lease? Are there any major works in the near future that will likely increase the service costs?