We're in Streatham, First time buyers purchasing with a mortgage (lender is Kent Reliance , and our solicitor is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancer should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

Have purchased a a semi-detached house in Streatham , how long will it take for the Land Registry to register my ownership? My Streatham conveyancing solicitor has been painfully slow, so I want to be certain the land registry aspects are dealt with.

There is nothing unique when it comes to conveyancing in Streatham registration formalities. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timescales can adjust according to who lodges the application, whether there are errors and whether the Land registry communicate with any other parties. As of today approximately three quarters of submission are fully dealt with in less than three weeks but occasionally there can be protracted hold-ups. Registration occurs after the new owner has moved in to the property therefore registration formalities is not usually top priority yet where there is a degree of urgency associated with the registration then you or your conveyancer must contact the land registry and explain the circumstances.

About to purchase a new build apartment in Streatham. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build conveyancing.

Set out below is a sample of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Streatham

If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. 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. Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose? Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and found one round the corner in Streatham I like with open areas and station nearby, the downside is that it only has 51 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Streatham in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a lease with such few years left?

Should you require a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for a minimum of 2 years you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.

What advice can you give us when it comes to finding a Streatham conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Streatham conveyancing firm) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Streatham conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be of use:

Can they put you in touch with clients in Streatham who can give a testimonial?

I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord to extend my lease without any joy. Can one apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Streatham conveyancing firm to help?

Where there is a absentee landlord or where there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the relevant statutes it is possible to make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to decide the price payable.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a Streatham property is Flat 12, Newlands Court Streatham Common North in May 2012. the decision of the Tribunal was that the premium payable by the Applicants to the Respondent for the new lease of the Premises be £70,140. This case was in relation to 1 flat. The unexpired lease term was 23.25 years.