If you had a top tip for choosing a conveyancing solicitor in Woolwich what would it be?

It would be unwise to be seduced by the lowest Woolwich conveyancing quote. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to property lawyers. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you know exactly what you’ll have to pay in ahead of time.

The formalities of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Woolwich. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How do I make a complaint?

All banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Department at head office. Ordinarily complaints to a lender are sorted out effectively and efficiently. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR who will take matters further.

I was told two weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by Leeds Building Society. Is it usual for Leeds Building Society to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Woolwich is approved on their conveyancing panel? Leeds Building Society have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their Professional Indemnity Insurance Schedule.

Mortgage companies tend not to not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Leeds Building Society to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I have offered on a fortnight ago in what should have been a quick, no chain conveyancing. Woolwich is the location of the property. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Woolwich are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Woolwich you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds thoroughly. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Woolwich may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.

I have been advised by a few property agents in Woolwich to get a quote from a property lawyer using your seach tool. What’s the financial incentive for Estate Agents to promote your site over and above another?

We don’t make any commission for sending work to this site. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission because home movers will 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.

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that seems to meet my requirements, at a great figure which is making it more attractive. I have just discovered that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Woolwich. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Woolwich are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Woolwich in which case you should be shopping around for a Woolwich conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as obtaining the landlord’spermission to carry out changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer will report to you on the legal implications.

Despite our best endeavours, we have been unsuccessful in trying to reach an agreement for a lease extension in Woolwich. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on premiums?

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

An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Woolwich residence is 46 Credon Road in January 2014. On 11 September 2013 Deputy District Judge Price sitting at the Bow County Court made a vesting order that the freeholder surrender his lease and be granted a new lease of the Premises on such terms as may be determined by the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).The appropriate sum as concluded by the Tribunal was £7225 This case was in relation to 1 flat. The unexpired lease term was 69.77 years.

What can I do where I am not happy with the conveyancing practitioner who did our conveyancing in Woolwich?

Occasionally the level of service you receive is not as you expect, and is is a fact of life that occasionally things do go wrong. However there is recourse if you were unhappy with your conveyancing in Woolwich. This varies from trying to resolve matters directly with them, through to reporting a conveyancer to their regulator. If you remain aggrieved you may consider getting in touch with the Legal Ombudsman.