The Trafford Park conveyancing solicitors that I recently instructed on my house acquisition in Trafford Park have suddenly shut down. I chose them because I needed a firm on the TSB conveyancing panel and my preferred Trafford Park lawyer was not. I sent them a cheque for two hundred pounds in advance. What are my options?

Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then inform them immediately so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to reasons beyond your control. Most sellers would be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You should appoint new lawyers that are on the TSB conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money, it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new lawyers may be able to assist.

What can a local search reveal about the property my wife and I purchasing in Trafford Park?

Trafford Park conveyancing often commences with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search company for instance Xpress Legal The local search is essential in every Trafford Park conveyancing purchase; as long as you don’t want any nasty surprises after you move into your property. The search should reveal data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the property (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of 13 subject areas.

I am buying a new build flat in Trafford Park. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Trafford Park

Please supply a car parking plan. 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. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision.

I was pointed in your direction by a number of estate agents in Trafford Park to locate a conveyancer on your site. Is there a financial incentive for Estate Agents to recommend your site over another?

We don’t offer any commission for sending work in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult a fee as a client could think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

In relation to leasehold conveyancing in Trafford Park what are the most frequent lease defects?

Leasehold conveyancing in Trafford Park is not unique. All leases are drafted differently and drafting errors can sometimes mean that certain provisions are erroneous. The following missing provisions could result in a defective lease:

A duty to insure the building

A defective lease can cause issues when trying to sell a property primarily because it impacts on the ability to obtain a mortgage on the property. National Westminster Bank, Bank of Scotland, and Bank of Ireland all have very detailed conveyancing instructions when it comes to what is expected in a lease. Where a lender has been advised by their lawyers that the lease does not cover certain provisions they may refuse to grant the mortgage, forcing the purchaser to withdraw.

I purchased a ground floor flat in Trafford Park, conveyancing was carried out 9 years ago. How much will my lease extension cost? Comparable flats in Trafford Park with over 90 years remaining are worth £180,000. The ground rent is £65 levied per year. The lease comes to an end on 21st October 2084

With just 59 years remaining on your lease we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £20,900 and £24,200 plus legals.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed due diligence. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other issues that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not take any other action based on this information without first getting professional advice.