Forgive me if this question is silly but I am unseasoned as FTB of a two bedroom flat in Skipton. Do I collect the keys to the property on the completion date from my solicitor? If this is the case, I will appoint a local conveyancing solicitor in Skipton?

There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will transfer the purchase money to the seller's lawyers, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you will be called to collect the keys from the Estate Agents and move into your new home. Usually this happens early afternoon.

A relative pointed out to me me that in buying a property in Skipton there may be a number of restrictions as to what one can do in terms of external changes to a property. Is this right?

We are aware of a number of properties in Skipton which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to execute external variations. Part of the conveyancing in Skipton should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

UBS have agreed my mortgage in principle, my bid on a flat in Skipton has been agreed to, what are the next steps?

The estate agent will need to be informed of your solicitor's details (make sure the conveyancing practitioners are on the bank’s approved list). Telephone UBS or the broker and complete any relevant forms. UBS will instruct a valuer who will get in touch with the estate agent or vendor to schedule a time for the valuation to take place. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a week for the mortgage offer to be issued. UBS will send the offer to you and your lawyers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Skipton.

What does a local search tell me concerning the property my wife and I buying in Skipton?

Skipton conveyancing often commences with the ordering local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search company for instance Onsearch The local search plays an important role in many a Skipton conveyancing purchase; that is if you don’t want any unpleasant once you have moved into your property. The search will provide data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the property (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen topic areas.

It has been 3 months since my purchase conveyancing in Skipton took place. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £200,000 when infact I paid £160,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the premises from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

I have been sourcing a conveyancing solicitor in Skipton for my remortgage. Is there any facility to see a firm’s record with the legal regulator?

You can find presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from inquisitions started on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find details Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. International callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA may monitor telephone calls for training reasons.

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my 2 bed apartment in Skipton. Conveyancing is yet to be initiated, but I have just had a quarterly maintenance charge invoice – Do I pay up?

It best that you pay the invoice as usual as all rents and maintenance payments will be allotted on completion, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

I am the registered owner of a basement flat in Skipton, conveyancing having been completed half a dozen years ago. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Equivalent properties in Skipton with over 90 years remaining are worth £202,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £60 invoiced annually. The lease terminates on 21st October 2082

You have 57 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £28,500 and £33,000 plus plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more comprehensive investigations. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt additional concerns that need to be considered and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.