We are about to sign contracts for a freehold house in Bedford Hill. We have hit a snag. The loan offer with Norwich and Peterborough Building Society expires on 31/3/2025 but the owners are suggesting a completion date of 2/4/2025. Can one prolong the mortgage offer?

The person best placed to deal with your issue is your lawyer who will assess if he or she is should be discussing with the bank, vendor’s representatives, estate agents or conceivably all three taking into account the history of your transaction to date.

I purchased a semi-detached Georgian house in Bedford Hill. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Leeds Building Society. I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw two entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the matching property. 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 Bedford Hill and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also question the position with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the purchase.

How does conveyancing in Bedford Hill differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Bedford Hill come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is finished. This is because house builders in Bedford Hill usually purchase 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 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Bedford Hill or who has acted in the same development.

Given that I will soon spend £400,000 on a two bedroom apartment in Bedford Hill I would like to talk to a lawyer regarding thetransaction ahead of appointing the firm. Can this be arranged?

Absolutely - we would be pleased to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you liaising with the lawyer who will be doing your conveyancing in Bedford Hill.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is unique person, not a file reference. The practices that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are provided with for residential conveyancing in Bedford Hill should be the amount on the final invoice that you end up paying.

Me and my fiance are about to exchange buying a house in Bedford Hill but as a result of wreckage from the recent storms I have negotiated recompense from the owner of five thousand pounds taking the form of a deduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process however the mortgage company will not permit this. Should they have been approached?

Any conveyancing practitioner that is on the mortgage company approved list is required to advise the bank of any amendments to the purchase amount. In the event that you did not allow your property lawyer to disclose the price change to your mortgage company then they would have to refrain from acting for you and the bank.