I have todaybecome aware that Stirling Law have been shut down. They carried out my conveyancing in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont for a purchase of a freehold house 10 months ago. How can I check that the property is not still registered in the name of the previous owner?

The easiest way to see if the property is registered to you, you can make 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 Gerrards Cross and Chalfont conveyancing specialists.

How does conveyancing in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont contact us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because developers in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont tend to acquire 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 property lawyers 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 Gerrards Cross and Chalfont or who has acted in the same development.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I put an offer in two weeks back in what should have been a quick, no chain conveyancing. Gerrards Cross and Chalfont is the location of the property. Is there any guidance you can impart?

Flying freeholds in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont may determine 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 premises.

How easy is it to use your search facility to choose a conveyancing lawyer in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont on the approved list for my mortgage?

1st select a bank such as National Westminster Bank, Barnsley Building Society or Britannia then choose your preferred area e.g. Gerrards Cross and Chalfont. Conveyancing firms in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont and nationally will then be listed.

There are only 68 years unexpired on my lease in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont. I need to extend my lease but my freeholder is absent. What options are available to me?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you have done all that could be expected to locate the landlord. In some cases a specialist should be helpful to try and locate and to produce an expert document which can be used as proof that the landlord is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer in relation to proving the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Gerrards Cross and Chalfont.

I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord to extend my lease without any joy. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal decide on such issues? Can you recommend a Gerrards Cross and Chalfont conveyancing firm to act on my behalf?

Where there is a missing freeholder or if there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant legislation it is possible to make an application to the LVT to determine the price payable.

An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Gerrards Cross and Chalfont property is Flats 8, 11 and 15 Craigmore Court 46 Murray Road in December 2013. The tribunal held that the price payable by the Applicant tenant of Flat 8 to acquire an extended lease shall be £26,438 plus £1 to the intermediate lessee . The tribunal held that the price payable by the Applicant tenants of Flat 11 to acquire an extended lease shall be £26,791 plus £1 to the intermediate lessee. The tribunal held that the price payable by the Applicant tenant of Flat 15 to acquire an extended lease shall be £26,638 plus £1 to the intermediate lessee . This case affected 3 flats. The unexpired lease term was 71 years.