A relative informed me that in purchasing a property in Stretford there may be a number of restrictions prohibiting external changes to a property. Is this right?

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

I'm spending time looking at flats in Stretford and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it best to have my lawyer on ‘stand by’? I will be getting a mortgage with Clydesdale.

You should start requesting conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their contact information on to the estate agent. As you are obtaining a mortgage with Clydesdale, ask your prospective lawyers if they are on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Stretford off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Principality. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Principality, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Principality conveyancing panel.

Do commercial conveyancing searches disclose impending roadworks that could affect a commercial land in Stretford?

Its becoming the norm that commercial conveyancing solicitors in Stretford will execute a SiteSolutions Highways report as it dramatically cuts the time that conveyancers invest in investigating accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Stretford. The report provides definitive information on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Stretford.

For every commercial conveyancing transaction in Stretford it is crucial to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. Failure to identify developments where adoption procedures have not been dealt with adequately could cause delays to Stretford commercial conveyancing transactions as well as present a risk to future intentions for the site. These searches are not carried out for residential conveyancing in Stretford.

The deeds to our home can not be found. The lawyers who handled the conveyancing in Stretford 4 years ago have long since closed. What are my options?

Assuming you have a registered title the information relating to your ownership will be evidenced by the Land Registry with a Title Number. It is possible to perform a search at the Land Registry, identify your house and order up to date copies of the Registered Entries for a small fee. If the property is Leasehold then the Land Registry will in most cases retain a certified copy of the Registered Lease and again, a copy can be ordered for £20 inclusive of VAT.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on a fortnight ago in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Stretford is where the house is located. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Stretford are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Stretford you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Stretford 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 premises.

I've found a house that seems to be perfect, at a reasonable figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns buying a house with a leasehold title in Stretford. Conveyancing solicitors have are about to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Stretford ?

Most houses in Stretford are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Stretford in which case you should be looking for a Stretford conveyancing practitioner and check that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a lessee you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example obtaining the freeholder’sconsent to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the estate where the house is located on an estate. Your solicitor will report to you on the legal implications.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Stretford - A selection of Queries Prior to buying

Make sure you enquire if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. By way of example it is very common in Stretford leases that pets are not allowed in certain buildings in Stretford. If you love the apartmentin Stretford however your cat is not allowed to live with you then you will be presented with a hard choice. Plenty Stretford leasehold apartments will have a service charge for maintenance of the block levied by the management company. Where you acquire the apartment you will have to pay this liability, usually periodically during the year. This could be anything from a couple of hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for bigger purpose-built buildings. There will also be a rentcharge for you to pay annual, ordinarily this is not a large sum, say approximately £25-£75 but you should to check as occasionally it can be many hundreds of pounds. Does the lease contain onerous restrictions?