My solicitor has identified a defect with the lease for the apartment we are buying in Chase Side. The seller’s lawyers have suggested defective title insurance as a solution. We are content with insurance and will cover the costs. Our conveyancing practitioner has advised that he must check that the mortgage company is happy with this solution. Who is the client here, us or the bank?

Regardless of the fact that you have a mortgage offer from the mortgage company does not mean to say that the property will meet their specifications for the purposes of a mortgage. Your lawyer has to ensure that the lease has to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook specifications. You and the mortgage company are the client. These conveyancing instructions must be adhered to.

We are looking to buy a flat and require a conveyancing solicitor in Chase Side who is on the RBS approved panel. Can you recommend a local solicitor?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for RBS . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Chase Side.

How does conveyancing in Chase Side differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Chase Side come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is constructed. This is because house builders in Chase Side usually buy the real estate, 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 conveyancers 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 Chase Side or who has acted in the same development.

What does commercial conveyancing in Chase Side cover?

Commercial conveyancing in Chase Side covers a broad array of services, given by qualified solicitors, relating to business premises. For instance, this type of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more commonly, the assignment of existing leases or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial mortgages and the termination of leases.

I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord for a lease extension without getting anywhere. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal decide on such issues? Can you recommend a Chase Side conveyancing firm to act on my behalf?

Where there is a missing landlord or where there is disagreement about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 it is possible to make an application to the LVT to make a decision on the premium.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a Chase Side flat is 23 Beaconsfield Road in July 2013. The Tribunals decided that the amount payable was £31,203 for the freehold. This case was in relation to 2 flats. The unexpired lease term was 70.31 years.

What are the frequently found problems that you come across in leases for Chase Side properties?

Leasehold conveyancing in Chase Side is not unique. Most leases are drafted differently and drafting errors can sometimes mean that certain sections are wrong. For example, if your lease is missing any of the following, it could be defective:

Maintenance charge proportions which don’t add up to the correct percentage

You could encounter difficulties when selling your property if you have a defective lease primarily because it impacts on the ability to obtain a mortgage on the property. Nationwide Building Society, Coventry Building Society, and TSB all have express conveyancing instructions when it comes to what is expected in a lease. If a mortgage lender believes that the lease is problematic they may refuse to grant the mortgage, obliging the buyer to pull out.