Various online forums that I have come across warn that are the primary reason for obstruction in Ash conveyancing transactions. Is this right?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published determinations of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure within the most frequent causes of delays during the legal transfer of property. Local searches are unlikely to feature in any holding up conveyancing in Ash.

My wife and I have a terraced Georgian property in Ash. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Platform Home Loans Ltd. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw a couple of entries: the first freehold, another for leasehold with the matching property. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??

You should read 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 proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Ash and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with lenders. You can also check the position with the conveyancing practitioner who conducted the conveyancing.

In what way does the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 affect my business premises in Ash and how can your lawyers assist?

The particular law that you refer to affords security of tenure to business tenants, giving them the right to apply to court for a renewal tenancy and continue in occupation when the lease comes to an end. There are limited grounds that a landlord can refrain from granting a lease renewal and the rules are involved. We are happy to direct you to commercial conveyancing practices who use the act for protection and handle your commercial conveyancing in Ash

As co-executor for the estate of my grandfather I am disposing of a property in Cardiff but reside in Ash. My solicitor (who is 250 miles awayrequires that I sign a statutory declaration prior to the transaction finalising. Could you suggest a conveyancing solicitor in Ash to witness and place their company stamp on the document?

Technically speaking you are unlikely to need to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily or notary public or solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are located in Ash

I have just started marketing my basement apartment in Ash. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed, but I have just had a quarterly maintenance charge invoice – Do I pay up?

It best that you discharge the service charge as usual because all rents and maintenance payments will be allotted as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you will be reimbursed by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

I inherited a 2 bed flat in Ash, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Comparable flats in Ash with a long lease are worth £192,000. The ground rent is £55 levied per year. The lease ceases on 21st October 2078

With 54 years left to run we estimate the price of your lease extension to range between £32,300 and £37,400 as well as costs.

The figure above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs without more comprehensive investigations. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other issues that need to be considered and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward placing reliance on this information without first getting professional advice.