I have been told that property searches are the primary reason for hinderance in Saltdean conveyancing transactions. Is that correct?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) has noted the determinations of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the top 10 causes of delays during the legal transfer of property. Searches are unlikely to be the root cause of holding up conveyancing in Saltdean.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on last month in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Saltdean is where the house is located. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Saltdean are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Saltdean you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds thoroughly. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Saltdean 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 residence.

I am looking for a conveyancing practitioner in Saltdean for my home move. Can I check a firm’s record with the legal regulator?

Members of the public may review presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's history, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes recorded telephone calls for training requirements.

I own a leasehold flat in Saltdean. Conveyancing and Bank of Scotland mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1997. The conveyancing solicitor in Saltdean who acted for me is not around. What should I do?

The first thing you should do is contact HMLR to be sure that this person is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to instruct a Saltdean conveyancing practitioner to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I invested in buying a basement flat in Saltdean, conveyancing was carried out 5 years ago. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Equivalent properties in Saltdean with over 90 years remaining are worth £185,000. The ground rent is £65 yearly. The lease ends on 21st October 2086

With only 61 years remaining on your lease the likely cost is going to span between £18,100 and £20,800 plus professional fees.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to supply the actual costs in the absence of comprehensive investigations. You should not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional concerns that need to be taken into account and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.

Our lender agreed in principle to issue us a mortgage. We instructed a long established conveyancer in Saltdean two days ago. Today, our financial adviser phoned to advise us that the bank said that we cannot use our solicitor as they aren't on their panel. As FTB's, we had no idea that the bank had some control over our choice Is this legal?

You are at liberty to choose any lawyer you wish to instruct including the said conveyancer in Saltdean nevertheless if they are not on the your lender's panel you would have to incur an extra fee so the bank can retain their own lawyers. It may be possible your solicitor may apply to get included on to the lender panel. Do make the most of internet search facilities such as lenderpanel.com to find a conveyancing solcitor in Saltdean on the lender panel. You can go into your high street bank branch in Saltdean. They can recommend conveyancing solicitors in Saltdean on the panel for your lender.