I used Arc property Solicitors several years ago for my conveyancing in The Ridgeway. Now, I need my files but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?

Do call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in The Ridgeway of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

How does conveyancing in The Ridgeway differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in The Ridgeway come to us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is constructed. This is because house builders in The Ridgeway typically purchase the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in The Ridgeway or who has acted in the same development.

Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in The Ridgeway before retaining lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. My surveyor has said that some mortgage companies tend not issue a mortgage on this type of premises.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different instructions for example to Nationwide. If you call us we can look into this further via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in The Ridgeway. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in The Ridgeway especially if they are accustomed to such properties in The Ridgeway.

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my ground floor apartment in The Ridgeway. Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon, however I have just had a quarterly maintenance charge invoice – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

It best that you clear the service charge as you normally would given that all ground rent and maintenance invoices should be apportioned as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you will be reimbursed by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer until 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 own a leasehold flat in The Ridgeway, conveyancing formalities finalised 1995. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Equivalent properties in The Ridgeway with an extended lease are worth £165,000. The ground rent is £45 yearly. The lease finishes on 21st October 50

With just 50 years remaining on your lease the likely cost is going to be between £36,100 and £41,800 as well as plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs without more comprehensive due diligence. You should not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

I have just started marketing my basement apartment in The Ridgeway.Conveyancing is yet to be initiated but I have just had a half-yearly maintenance charge invoice – what should I do?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should pay the invoice as usual because all rents and service payments will be apportionedon 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 management companies will not acknowledge the buyer until 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