Last October we completed a house move in Chatham. We have noticed several issues with the property which we believe were missed in the conveyancing searches. Do we have any recourse? What searches should? have been carried out for conveyancing in Chatham?

The query is vague as to the nature of the problems and if they are specific to conveyancing in Chatham. Conveyancing searches and investigations undertaken during the legal transfer of property are designed to help avoid problems. As part of the process, the vendor answers a document called a SPIF. If the information is incorrect, then you may have a claim against the owner for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Chatham.

Can your site be used to locate a Conveyancing solicitor in Chatham even if I’m not purchasing or disposing of a house, for example if I wish to buy a shop in Chatham with a mortgage from Skipton Building Society?

The service is primarily utilised to get a quote from domestic conveyancing solicitors in Chatham but we have listed towards the bottom of this page a selection of Chatham commercial conveyancing firms. You will need to enquire with the firm directly to check if they are also authorised to represent Skipton Building Society

The deeds to our property are lost. The solicitors who conducted the conveyancing in Chatham 10 years ago no longer exist. What are my options?

Assuming the title is registered the information relating to your proprietorship will be retained by the Land Registry with a Title Number. It is possible to perform a search at the Land Registry, identify your house and get current copies of the property title for a small fee. Where the property is Leasehold then the Land Registry will usually retain a certified duplicate of the Registered Lease and again, a copy can be retrieved for a small fee.

I have been on the look out for a ground for flat up to £245,000 and identified one close by in Chatham I like with a park and transport links nearby, the downside is that it only has 51 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Chatham suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a short lease?

If you require a mortgage the shortness of the lease will be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the premises for at least 2 years you may ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Chatham. Conveyancing and Leeds Building Society mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1998. The conveyancing practitioner in Chatham who acted for me is not around. Any advice?

The first thing you should do is make enquiries of the Land Registry to make sure that this person is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. It is not necessary to instruct a Chatham conveyancing lawyer to do this as it can be done on-line for £3. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I own a garden flat in Chatham, conveyancing having been completed May 2011. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Similar properties in Chatham with over 90 years remaining are worth £227,000. The ground rent is £50 per annum. The lease terminates on 21st October 2097

With just 72 years remaining on your lease we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £9,500 and £11,000 plus costs.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to supply the actual costs in the absence of detailed investigations. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be other concerns that need to be considered and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.