I have been told that property searches are a common cause of stalling in Congleton conveyancing transactions. Is this right?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) has noted the findings of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature within the common causes of hindrances during the legal transfer of property. Searches are not likely to be the root cause of slowing down conveyancing in Congleton.

How does conveyancing in Congleton differ for new build properties?

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

I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and identified one near me in Congleton I like with amenity areas and railway links nearby, however it's only got 52 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Congleton in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a lease with such few years left?

If you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease will be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you can ask them to start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor concerning this.

I have been recommended by numerous property agents in Congleton to select a conveyancer using your seach tool. Is there a financial inducement for Estate Agents to recommend your services rather than alternative conveyancing organisations?

We don’t make any commission for sending work in our direction. We thought it would be too underhand to pay a commission because home movers will think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

I have recently realised that I have 62 years unexpired on my lease in Congleton. I now wish to get lease extension but my freeholder is absent. What are my options?

On the basis that you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be extended by the magistrate. However, you will be required to prove that you or your lawyers have made all reasonable attempts to locate the landlord. For most situations a specialist may be helpful to carry out a search and prepare an expert document to be used as proof that the landlord can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a solicitor in relation to investigating the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court overseeing Congleton.

Congleton Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Queries Prior to buying

The answer will be important as a) areas can cause problems in the building as the common areas may begin to deteriorate where services are not paid for b) if the leasehold owners have a dispute with the managing agents you will want to have all the details You should be aware that where the lease has less than 80 years it will affect the marketability of the property. Check with your lender that they are happy with remaining years on the lease. Leases with fewer than 80 years remaining means that you will most likely have to extend the lease at some point and it is worth finding out what this will be. Remember, in most cases you would need to own the premises for a couple of years in order to be legally able to carry out a lease extension.