The deeds to my home are lost. The lawyers who dealt with the conveyancing in Rutland 10 years ago no longer exist. What are my options?

Gone are the days when you need to hold title deeds to evidence that you are the registered proprietor of land or premises, as the Land Registry have everything they need in a digital format.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build flat in Rutland. Conveyancing is daunting 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 few leasehold new build enquiries that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Rutland

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. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Please provide evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Rutland is the location of the property. Is there any advice you can give?

Flying freeholds in Rutland are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Rutland you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds thoroughly. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Rutland may ascertain 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 residence.

Given that I am about to spend 450k on a house in Rutland I wish to have a conversation with the lawyer regarding theconveyancing ahead of appointing the firm. Is this something that you can arrange?

We could not agree more - it is our preference to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you first talking to the solicitor who will be conducting your conveyancing in Rutland.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is an important individual, not a matter number. The practices that we put you in touch with believe that the fees you are quoted for residential conveyancing in Rutland should be the amount on the final invoice that you are charged.

Would local authority permission be required to change a single dwelling into a couple of flats in Rutland? This has taken place to a house opposite to my house in Rutland and was ignorant of it happening until it was finished.

Planning Consent yes. Building Reg Approval yes.