My partner’s uncle is a solicitor. I expect that I will receive friends and family rates for conveyancing, but if not, what level of figure should I be paying for conveyancing in Grahame Park?

It’s a good idea to request two or three conveyancing estimates. Do use our search tool on this site. The amounts do vary but service levels do are distinct between conveyancers as is true with the vast majority of professional services.

Should my solicitor be raising enquiries about flooding as part of the conveyancing in Grahame Park.

Flooding is a growing risk for lawyers dealing with homes in Grahame Park. Plenty of people will acquire a house in Grahame Park, fully expectant that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, aside from the physical destruction, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, adequate building insurance, or sell the property. There are steps that can be taken as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.

Solicitors are not best placed to offer advice on flood risk, but there are a numerous checks that may be undertaken by the purchaser or by their solicitors which can give them a better appreciation of the risks in Grahame Park. The standard information supplied to a purchaser’s solicitor (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) includes a usual inquiry of the vendor to determine if the property has ever been flooded. If flooding has previously occurred which is not notified by the vendor, then a purchaser may bring a claim for damages as a result of such an misleading answer. A purchaser’s lawyers may also carry out an enviro report. This will disclose whether there is any known flood risk. If so, additional investigations should be initiated.

I have todayfound out that Stirling Law have been shut down. They carried out my conveyancing in Grahame Park for a purchase of a freehold house 12 months ago. How can I be sure that the property is in my name in the name of the former proprietor?

The quickest method to check if the premises is in your name, 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 Grahame Park conveyancing specialists.

My uncle has suggested that I instruct his lawyers for conveyancing in Grahame Park. Do I follow his guidance?

No doubt the ideal way to select a conveyancing solicitor is to get feedback from friends or family who have experience in using the solicitor that you are considering.

Last October I purchased a leasehold flat in Grahame Park. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

My wife and I have hit a brick wall in trying to purchase the freehold in Grahame Park. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

You certainly can. We are happy to put you in touch with a Grahame Park conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement decision for a Grahame Park flat is 1 & 1A Sunningfields Crescent in September 2013. The Tribunals calculation of the amount to be paid into court in respect of the value of the freehold interest is £11,997 in respect of Flat 1 and £15,781 in respect of Flat 1A for a total of £27,778. This case affected 2 flats. The unexpired term was 71.5 years.