A colleague suggested that if I am buying in West Hill I should ask my conveyancer to carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

A search of this type is occasionally quoted for as part of the standard West Hill conveyancing searches. It is not a small report of about 40 pages, listing and detailing important information about West Hill around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime statistics, Local Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data concerning West Hill.

How does conveyancing in West Hill differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in West Hill approach us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is built. This is because builders in West Hill usually buy the land, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 West Hill or who has acted in the same development.

What does commercial conveyancing in West Hill cover?

Non domestic conveyancing in West Hill incorporates a broad array of guidance, supplied by qualified solicitors, relating to business property. By way of example, this area of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more usually, the assignment of existing leases or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial loans and the termination of tenancies.

We expect to complete the sale of our £375,000 apartment in West Hill in seven days. The managing agents has quoted £336 for Landlord’s certificate, building insurance schedule and 3 years statements of service charge. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge an administration fee for a flat conveyance in West Hill?

West Hill conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes more often than not involves the buyer’s lawyer sending enquiries for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is not legally bound to respond to these enquiries most will be content to do so. They may levy a reasonable administration fee for responding to questions or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average fee for the paperwork that you are referring to is £350, in some transactions it exceeds £800. The management information fee demanded by the landlord must be accompanied by a summary of rights and obligations in relation to administration charges, otherwise the charge is not strictly payable. Reality however dictates that you have little option but to pay whatever is demanded if you want to complete the sale of your home.

I am the leaseholder of a a ground floor purpose built flat in West Hill. In the absence of agreement between myself and the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal make a decision on the sum due for a lease extension?

Most definitely. We are happy to put you in touch with a West Hill conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement decision for a West Hill premises is 158 West Hill in November 2010. the Tribunal held that the premium to be paid for the freehold reversion should be £99,650 This case related to 7 flats. The unexpired lease term was 75.88 years.

My partner and I yesterday become aware that one of the directors of the firm handling the purchase conveyancing in West Hill is an aunty of the vendor. Is this permitted?

As long as there is no conflict of interest this should be fine. Where you are requiring mortgage finance then the lender may have a say as many banks have specific instructions concerning this. For example for RBS - Direct Line as of 3/11/2025, the requirements read as follows :