My family lawyer has given a fee calculation of £1350 for fixed fee conveyancing in Stockwood. I am hoping to downsize from a Georgian property for £200,000. Is this too much? Is it in excess of the average fee for conveyancing in Stockwood?

The charges are a bit high. If you shop around you might get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by as much as £100 plus VAT. That being said, you couldlive to rue choosing an a cheaper conveyancer. If is important to be sure the solicitor can also act for your mortgage company. You can use our search tool to find a Stockwood conveyancing practice on the banks approved list of lawyers which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Stockwood.

My solicitor has discovered a defect with the lease for the apartment we are buying in Stockwood. The seller’s lawyers have suggested title insurance as a solution. We are content with insurance and will pay for it. Our solicitor has advised that he must ensure that the lender is content with this solution. Are we the client or is the bank?

The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the risk of a conflict of interest, you and the lender are the client. Your solicitor must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook specifications. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects with the lease so that the mortgage company can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your solicitor will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.

My wife and I own a 4 bedroom Georgian property in Stockwood. Conveyancing solicitor acted for me and Halifax. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: the first freehold, another for leasehold with the exact same property. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

You need to review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Stockwood and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with lenders. You can also question the situation with the conveyancing practitioner who conducted the conveyancing.

What is different about your site and alternative online quote calculators for conveyancing in Stockwood?

At this site get an accurate costs illustration from a Solicitor or Licensed Conveyancer that understands the nuances of your conveyancing in Stockwood. As opposed to estate agents and brokerage sites we are not in the business of charging firms a commission if you choose them for your property ownership legalities in Stockwood

There are only 72 years unexpired on my lease in Stockwood. I need to get lease extension but my freeholder is can not be found. What options are available to me?

On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be lengthened by the Court. However, you will be required to prove that you or your lawyers have made all reasonable attempts to locate the freeholder. On the whole an enquiry agent would be helpful to try and locate and prepare an expert document to be used as evidence that the landlord can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer both on devolving into the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court covering Stockwood.

Stockwood Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Queries before Purchasing

Is there a share of the freehold? How much is the ground rent and service charge? Is anyone aware of any major works on the horizon that will increase the service charges?