I have given 2 months notice to my current landlord and have to leave my rented property in Upton Park by the end of next month. Conveyancing for my house purchase has just started. Can I complete in six weeks as don't want to have to move into temporary accommodation?

Generally one should not give notice on a rental unless your lawyer suggests that you should. If you have not previously done so, update to your solicitor and request that they apply pressure on the other lawyers, try to get a realistic time scale from them that everyone will work towards

Me and my brother own a terraced Edwardian property in Upton Park. Conveyancing practitioner represented me and National Westminster Bank. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw a couple of entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold with the matching address. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Upton Park and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also question the position with your conveyancing solicitor who conducted the work.

How does conveyancing in Upton Park differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Upton Park approach us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is ready to move into. This is because developers in Upton Park tend to acquire the real estate, 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 Upton Park or who has acted in the same development.

I decided to have a survey carried out on a house in Upton Park ahead of instructing conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. Our surveyor advised that some mortgage companies will refuse to issue a mortgage on a flying freehold house.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different requirements for example to Halifax. If you call us we can look into this further via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Upton Park. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

Do I stop the direct debit for my mortgage with Barclays once a completion date for my home sale in Upton Park has been set?

You would be well advised to continue meeting any mortgage payments to Barclays pending the mortgage being redeemed on completion as part of your Upton Park conveyancing.