I am buying a property and the lawyer has raised the issue of Chancel Repair for which the house could be obligated to contribute to because it falls into the area of such a church. She has suggested insurance. Is this strictly appropriate for conveyancing in Totterdown

Unless a prior purchase of the property completed after 12 October 2013 you can assume that lawyers handling conveyancing in Totterdown to continue to recommend a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.

How does conveyancing in Totterdown differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Totterdown approach us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is finished. This is because new home sellers in Totterdown usually buy 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 property lawyers 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 used to new build conveyancing in Totterdown or who has acted in the same development.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a flat up to £245,000 and identified one close by in Totterdown I like with amenity areas and station in the vicinity, however it's only got 52 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Totterdown in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a short lease?

If you require a mortgage that many years may be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the property for a minimum of 2 years you could request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor about this matter.

Given that I will soon part with over three hundred thousand on a property in Totterdown I would like to have a conversation with the solicitor regarding theconveyancing before instructing the firm. Can this be arranged?

This is something that we recommend - it is our preference to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you liaising with the conveyancer due to be doing your property ownership legalities in Totterdown.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - every client is an important person, not a matter reference. The law firms that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are provided with for residential conveyancing in Totterdown should be the figure that you are charged.

I would like to sublet my leasehold flat in Totterdown. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask him. Do I need to ask my freeholder for their consent?

Even though your last Totterdown conveyancing solicitor is not around you can review your lease to check if it allows you to sublet the premises. The rule is that if the deeds are non-specific, subletting is permitted. Quite often there is a prerequisite that you need to seek consent via your landlord or some other party in advance of subletting. The net result is that you cannot sublet without prior consent. Such consent should not be unreasonably turned down. If the lease does not allow you to sublet you will need to ask your landlord for their consent.

Totterdown Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

If a Totterdown lease has less than 80 years it will affect the salability of the flat. It is worth checking with your bank that they are happy with residual term of the lease. Leases with less than 80 years remaining means that you will almost definitely require a lease extension sooner rather than later and it is worth discovering what this would cost. For most Totterdownlease extensions you will need to own the premises for a couple of years in order to be entitled to carry out a lease extension. Is there a share of the freehold? Most Totterdown leasehold apartments will be liable to pay a service bill for maintenance of the building invoiced by the landlord. Should you acquire the property you will have to meet this charge, normally periodically throughout the year. This may differ from a couple of hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for buildings with lifts and large communal grounds. In all probability there will be a ground rent to be met yearly, this is usually not a large sum, say around £50-£100 but you should to check it because occasionally it can be prohibitively expensive.