My previous lawyer has given a fee calculation of £1150 for freehold conveyancing in South Kensington. I am hoping to downsize from a purpose built house for £225,000. Is this too much? Is it above the average fee for conveyancing in South Kensington?
The estimate does seem marginally overpriced. If you are willing to invest time scrutinising costs you might trim some of the expense by perhaps a hundred pounds. On the other hand, you maycome to regret opting for an a cheaper conveyancer. If is important to ensure the solicitor can act for your lender. You can utilise our comparison tool to choose a South Kensington conveyancing practice on the lender’s approved list of lawyers which can often include conveyancing solicitors in South Kensington.
I have given 8 weeks notice to my existing landlord and have to vacate my rented property in South Kensington by the end of next month. Conveyancing for my house purchase is underway. Can I complete in three weeks as don't want to have to find short term accommodation?
The normal practice is not to serve notice on a rental until you have exchanged. Assuming that you have not previously done so, update to your lawyer and urge them to they chase the other side, try to a target completion date that all parties will look to achieve
We see that you have a search directory listing law firms on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I instruct them for our own conveyancing in South Kensington?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in South Kensington.
I have a 4 bedroom Edwardian house in South Kensington. Conveyancing solicitor acted for me and Skipton Building Society. I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the matching address. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??
You should assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in South Kensington and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also check the situation with the conveyancing solicitor who conducted the conveyancing.
I opted to have a survey carried out on a house in South Kensington prior to instructing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. My surveyor has said that some lenders may refuse to issue a loan on a flying freehold property.
It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can check via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in South Kensington. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
I am a negotiator for a busy estate agency in South Kensington where we have experienced a few flat sales jeopardised due to leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have been given inconsistent advice from local South Kensington conveyancing firms. Could you confirm whether the owner of a flat can start the lease extension process for the buyer?
Provided that the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to commence the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. This means that the proposed purchaser need not have to sit tight for 2 years to extend their lease. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed prior to, or simultaneously with completion of the disposal of the property.
Alternatively, it may be possible to agree the lease extension with the freeholder either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the buyer.
I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord to extend my lease without getting anywhere. Can one make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a South Kensington conveyancing firm to assist?
in cases where there is a absentee landlord or if there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the relevant legislation it is possible to make an application to the LVT to make a decision on the price.
An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a South Kensington flat is Flat 16 21/22 Stanhope Gardens in November 2010. the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal concluded that the premium to be paid by the tenant on the grant of a new lease, in accordance with section 56 and Schedule 13 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, was £106,975 This case was in relation to 1 flat. The unexpired residue of the current lease was 51.93 years.