three months have elapsed since my purchase conveyancing in Wootton Bridge took place. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £200,000 when infact I paid £170,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the asset from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

How does conveyancing in Wootton Bridge differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Wootton Bridge come to us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is constructed. This is because new home sellers in Wootton Bridge typically acquire the site, 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 Wootton Bridge or who has acted in the same development.

I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £305k and identified one near me in Wootton Bridge I like with amenity areas and station in the vicinity, however it only has 52 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Wootton Bridge suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a lease with such few years left?

If you need a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term will likely be an issue. Discount the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for at least twenty four months you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.

Am I right to be suspicious by third parties that I am dealing with are recommending a nationwide conveyancing firm rather than a local Wootton Bridge conveyancing company?

As with lots of service providers, often referrals from connections can be extremely useful or valuable. But there are many people with a keen interest in a conveyancing transaction; estate agents, mortgage brokers and mortgage companies might all recommend conveyancers to appoint. Sometimes the lawyers might be known to one of the organisations as experts in their field, but occasionally there exists a financial incentive behind the recommendation. You have the discretion to select your own lawyer. Don't forget that some lenders have an approved list of conveyancers you are obliged to use for the mortgage related work in your home move.

Harry (my fiance) and I may need to rent out our Wootton Bridge basement flat temporarily due to a new job. We used a Wootton Bridge conveyancing practice in 2001 but they have closed and we did not think at the time seek any advice as to whether the lease prohibits the subletting of the flat. How do we find out?

Your lease dictates relations between the landlord and you the leaseholder; in particular, it will indicate if subletting is prohibited, or permitted but only subject to certain conditions. The rule is that if the lease contains no specific ban or restriction, subletting is permitted. Most leases in Wootton Bridge do not prevent an absolute prevention of subletting – such a clause would undoubtedly devalue the flat. In most cases there is simply a requirement that the owner notifies the freeholder, possibly supplying a copy of the tenancy agreement.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Wootton Bridge - A selection of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

How much is the ground rent and service charge? Is there a share of the freehold? For many Wootton Bridge leaseholds the cost for major works tend not to be included within maintenance charges, although a few managing agents in Wootton Bridge obliged tenants to contribute towards a sinking fund and this is used to offset against larger works.