All was ready to complete my purchase in Callington next Tuesday. My solicitor now wants me to supply her with evidence of content and building insurance for the property as as she informs me that she is duty bound to validate that it is in order for the lender. What does the insurance need to cover?

All property lawyers on acting for banks would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook instructions. These requirements are not specific to conveyancing in Callington.

My partner and I are close to exchanging contracts on the sale of our property in Callington and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was constructed on contaminated land. Any local conveyancer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the purchasers used a nationwide conveyancing firm rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Callington. Having lived in Callington for six years we know of no issue. Should we contact our local Authority to seek confirmation that there is no issue.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm already. What do they say? You must check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same ailment)

I have justbeen informed that Arc property Solicitors have been shut down. They carried out my conveyancing in Callington for a purchase of a leasehold flat 10 months ago. How can I establish that my home is in my name in the name of the previous owner?

The quickest way to see if the property is in your name, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Callington conveyancing specialists.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in last month in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Callington is the location of the property. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Callington are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Callington you would need to get your solicitor to go 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 Callington 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 residence.

Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Callington. Before I set the wheels in motion I want to be sure as to the unexpired term of the lease.

If the lease is registered - and most are in Callington - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title. For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.

I acquired a basement flat in Callington, conveyancing having been completed half a dozen years ago. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Corresponding properties in Callington with over 90 years remaining are worth £211,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £45 levied per year. The lease finishes on 21st October 2091

With only 67 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £10,500 and £12,000 plus legals.

The figure above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more detailed due diligence. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt additional concerns that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward placing reliance on this information before getting professional advice.