When looking at mumsnet.com for an affordable solicitor in Harefield, most say that I should look for a CQS accredited lawyer. What is CQS?

Harefield Conveyancing Quality Scheme law firms have achieved certification under the Law Society's Scheme (CQS) CQS was created to promote high standards in the in the legal transfer of properties. CQS enables buyers and sellers to identify practices who provide a quality residential conveyancing. Harefield is one of the many areas in England and Wales in which accredited firms are based. The conveyancing scheme obliges solicitors to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self-certification, spot checks and annual reviews in order to maintain CQS status. It is available to solicitors and not licensed conveyancers and has the support of the Building Societies Association.

I used Arc property Solicitors several years past for my conveyancing in Harefield. Now, I need my documents but cannot find the solicitor. What do I do?

Do contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Harefield of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I am buying my first flat in Harefield with the aid of help to buy. The builders refused to reduce the amount so I negotiated £7000 of extras instead. The estate agent told me not reveal to my solicitor about the deal as it may jeopardize my mortgage with the bank. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

What are your top tips when it comes to finding a Harefield conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Harefield conveyancing practice) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Harefield conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be useful:

How experienced is the practice with lease extension legislation? If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?

I have given up seeking a lease extension in Harefield. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

Where there is a absentee landlord or if there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to determine the amount due.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a Harefield premises 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 number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 71 years.

I cannot travel my Harefield conveyancing solicitors office to execute documents connected to my conveyancing in Harefield – will this be an issue?

No. Harefield conveyancing lawyers can deal with conveyancing transactions for clients nationwide. You are unlikely to be required to be present a Harefield conveyancers office. They can handle everything via post, email, telephone and fax.