Should our solicitor be asking questions regarding flooding during the conveyancing in Seven Sisters.

The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for lawyers dealing with homes in Seven Sisters. There are those who purchase a property in Seven Sisters, completely aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical destruction, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, suitable insurance cover, or dispose of the premises. There are steps that can be taken as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.

Conveyancers are not qualified to give advice on flood risk, however there are a number of searches that may be carried out by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which should give them a better appreciation of the risks in Seven Sisters. The standard property information forms supplied to a purchaser’s solicitor (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) contains a usual inquiry of the seller to discover whether the premises has historically flooded. In the event that flooding has previously occurred and is not revealed by the seller, then a buyer may bring a claim for damages as a result of such an incorrect reply. A buyer’s lawyers will also commission an environmental search. This should reveal if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, further inquiries should be carried out.

I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and identified one near me in Seven Sisters I like with amenity areas and station nearby, however it only has 52 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Seven Sisters suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a short lease?

If you need a mortgage that many years will likely be problematic. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for at least 2 years you can ask them to start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.

I am selling my house. My past conveyancers closed down. I would be grateful for any recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in Seven Sisters if that makes a difference.

Please use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Seven Sisters. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with regulated solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move goes smoothly.

I have been sourcing a conveyancing lawyer in Seven Sisters for my home move. Is it possible to review a solicitor's complaints history with the profession’s regulator?

Anyone can search for published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records Pre 2008, or to check a firm's record, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA sometimes recorded telephone calls for training requirements.

The solicitors conducting our conveyancing in Seven Sisters has sent documents to review that show the land is unregistered with epitome documents. Why is the property not currently recorded at the Land Registry?

It is a rare occurrence indeed to find premises in Seven Sisters to be unregistered. An 'epitome' is basically a dossier of photocopies of documents affecting an unregistered title. Plenty of Seven Sisters conveyancing lawyers should be capable of dealing with this type of conveyancing but where uncertainty exists the conventional guidance these days is for the seller to deal with the registration formalities first and subsequently deal with the sale conveyance - this will predictably result in a significant delay.