My wife and I have just purchased a property in Harold Park. We have noticed several issues with the house which we suspect were overlooked in the conveyancing searches. What action can we take? Can you clarify the type of searches that should have been conducted as part of conveyancing in Harold Park?

It is not clear from the question as what problems have arisen and if they are relate to conveyancing in Harold Park. Conveyancing searches and due diligence undertaken as part of the legal transfer of property are supposed to help avoid problems. As part of the process, the vendor fills in a questionnaire referred to as a SPIF. answers is misleading, you may have a misrepresentation claim against the owner for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Harold Park.

I am purchasing a house and the lawyer has identified Chancel Repair to which the property could be liable given it’s proximity to the area of such a church. She has mentioned insurance. Is this really required for conveyancing in Harold Park

Unless a previous acquisition of the house completed post 12 October 2013 you may take it that conveyancing practitioners handling conveyancing in Harold Park to continue to suggest a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

My wife and I have a semi-detached Edwardian house in Harold Park. Conveyancing lawyer acted for me and Norwich and Peterborough Building Society. I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw a couple of entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold under the matching property. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?

You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Harold Park and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also enquire as to the situation with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the purchase.

How does conveyancing in Harold Park differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Harold Park approach us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is constructed. This is because builders in Harold Park 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Harold Park or who has acted in the same development.

Looking forward to exchange soon on a leasehold property in Harold Park. Conveyancing lawyers inform me that they are sending me a report on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Harold Park should include some of the following:

The total extent of the demise. This may be the flat itself but may include a roof area or storage are if appropriate. Where does the liability rest for repairing the window frames What the implications are if you have contravened the provisions of the lease? Advice concerning the obligations in the lease to to contribute towards maintenance costs - in respect of the block, and the wider rights a tenant enjoys Are you allowed to have a pet in the flat?

Having spent years of negotiations we simply can't agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Harold Park. Does the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal have jurisdiction to calculate the appropriate figures?

Absolutely. We can put you in touch with a Harold Park conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Harold Park flat is 37 Lodge Court High Street in November 2013. the decision of the LVT was that the premium to be paid for the new lease was £25,559 This case affected 1 flat. The unexpired lease term was 57.5 years.