I have given 8 weeks notice to my current landlord and have to be out of my let out property in East London by 21/3/2025. Conveyancing for my house purchase is underway. How realistic is it to complete in 5 weeks as I wish to avoid having to move into short term accommodation?

The normal practice is not to serve notice for your tenancy until exchange of contracts has taken place. Assuming that you have not previously done so, update to your lawyer and urge them to they chase the owners lawyers, try to an acceptable time-line that everyone will work towards

3 months have elapsed following my purchase conveyancing in East London completed. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £150,000 when infact I paid £170,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the asset from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

About to purchase a new build apartment in East London. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in East London

Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal.

I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and found one round the corner in East London I like with a park and railway links nearby, however it's only got 49 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in East London suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?

If you require a mortgage the shortness of the lease will be an issue. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you may ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.

How does the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 affect my business offices in East London and how can your lawyers assist?

The particular law that you refer to provides protection to business lessees, giving them the legal entitlement to make a request to court for a renewal lease and remain in occupation at the end of the lease term. There are limited grounds where a landlord can refrain from granting a lease renewal and the rules are complex. Fees are different for commercial conveyancing. East London is one of our many locations in which our lawyers are based