We were about to instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Upper Norwood recommended on your site but have come across alternative costs illustrations via the web appear less pricey – why is this?

You can find numerous solicitors promoting alleged cut-price conveyancing, yet more often than not extracosts end up with the closing fee markedly uplifted. In accordance with regulatory requirements costs set out in terms of business should be honest and reasonable invoiced The conveyancers that we put forward for conveyancing in Upper Norwood set out all legal fees for the property you plan topurchase.

I have given 8 weeks notice to my existing landlord and have to be out of my rented flat in Upper Norwood by 30/5/2024. Conveyancing on my purchase is progressing. Can I complete in 5 weeks as I wish to avoid having to move into temporary accommodation?

Generally one should not give notice for your tenancy until you have exchanged. If you have not already done so, speak to your conveyancer and request that they chase the owners lawyers, try to get a realistic time scale from them that everyone will look to achieve

The Upper Norwood conveyancing lawyers that just started acting on my purchase in Upper Norwood have without warning shut down. They were on acting for me because I had to have a solicitor on the Santander conveyancing panel and my family Upper Norwood lawyer was not. I paid them money in advance. What should be my next steps?

Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then inform them straight away so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to the problems encountered. Hopefully they will be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You will need to appoint new lawyers that are on the Santander 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 solicitors may be able to help.

I've recently bought a leasehold flat in Upper Norwood. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to completion of my purchase?

Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

I am the registered owner of a second floor flat in Upper Norwood. Given that I can not reach agreement with the landlord, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the sum due for the purchase of the freehold?

You certainly can. We can put you in touch with a Upper Norwood conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a Upper Norwood residence is Flats 55, 67 & 70 Melbourne Court Anerley Road in July 2013. The tribunal calculated that the premium for the extended lease at £48,366.00 for at 55, and £88,329.00 for ats 67 and 70 combined. This case related to 1 flat. The number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 26.38 years.

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to tick a lot of boxes, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently discovered that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Upper Norwood. Conveyancing lawyers have are soon to be appointed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Upper Norwood ?

The majority of houses in Upper Norwood are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Upper Norwood in which case you should be looking for a Upper Norwood conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the freeholder’spermission to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the estate where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer will report to you on the legal implications.