I am hoping to move into my new home in Trafford next Monday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as as she informs me that she is duty bound to validate that it is in order for the mortgage company. What does the insurance need to cover?

Any lawyer on acting for mortgage companies would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions. These obligations are not unique to conveyancing in Trafford.

About to purchase a new build apartment in Trafford. 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 selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Trafford

There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore.

I have been on the look out for a flat up to £235,500 and identified one close by in Trafford I like with open areas and railway links in the vicinity, however it only has 51 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Trafford for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a lease with such few years left?

If you need a home loan that many years will be problematic. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current owner has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you can request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.

My uncle has recommend that I instruct his lawyers for conveyancing in Trafford. Should I find my own solicitor?

No doubt it’s preferable to choose a conveyancing solicitor is to seek referrals from friends or relatives who have used the conveyancer you're considering.

What are your top tips when it comes to finding a Trafford conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Trafford conveyancing firm) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you make enquires with several firms including non Trafford conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions might be helpful:

Can they put you in touch with clients in Trafford who can give a testimonial? If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?

Leasehold Conveyancing in Trafford - Sample of Questions you should ask before buying

If a Trafford lease has no more than eighty years it will affect the marketability of the flat. It is worth checking with your bank that they are willing to go ahead with the loan given the lease term. Leases with less than 80 years remaining means that you will most likely require a lease extension at some point and you need to have some idea of how much this would cost. Remember, in most cases you will need to own the residence for a couple of years before you are legally able to extend the lease. Are any of leasehold owners in arrears of their service charge liability? What is the the remaining lease term?