IfI were to acquire a straightforward housein Harrow mortgage fee and have no survey and no local authority searches how much would I expect to have to pay for conveyancing in Harrow?

The only saving you would achieve is the Harrow conveyancing searches. A property lawyer is obliged to do the vast majority of work - money laundering, correspond with the sellers property lawyer, stamp duty return, register the ownership etc. You might save a bit for them not having to register a mortgage but it will not be a lot.

Will my lawyer be asking questions regarding flooding as part of the conveyancing in Harrow.

Flooding is a growing risk for solicitors specialising in conveyancing in Harrow. Some people will acquire a property in Harrow, fully expectant that at some time, it may be flooded. However, leaving to one side the physical damage, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, satisfactory insurance cover, or sell the premises. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a property purchase to forewarn the purchaser.

Solicitors are not qualified to impart advice on flood risk, but there are a various searches that can be initiated by the purchaser or by their solicitors which can figure out the risks in Harrow. The conventional set of property information forms given to a buyer’s solicitor (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) includes a usual question of the owner to discover if the premises has suffered from flooding. If flooding has previously occurred and is not disclosed by the owner, then a buyer could bring a claim for damages resulting from an inaccurate response. A buyer’s solicitors will also commission an environmental report. This should indicate if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, more detailed inquiries should be conducted.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on two weeks back in what should have been a simple, no chain conveyancing. Harrow is the location of the property. Can you offer any opinion?

Flying freeholds in Harrow are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Harrow 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 Harrow may ascertain 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.

There are only Seventy years left on my flat in Harrow. I need to get lease extension but my landlord is missing. What should I do?

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 prove that you have used your best endeavours to locate the lessor. On the whole an enquiry agent may be helpful to conduct investigations and to produce a report which can be accepted by the court as evidence that the landlord is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer in relation to proving the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court overseeing Harrow.

I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord for a lease extension without success. Can one make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Harrow conveyancing firm to represent me?

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

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Harrow premises is flat 93b Welldon Crescent in May 2009. The Tribunals valuation for a 90-year lease extension of this fat was £13,171 This case related to 1 flat. The unexpired term was 75.25 years.

The conveyancers undertaking our conveyancing in Harrow has sent documents to review that state the land is unregistered with epitome documents. Is it not the case that all houses in Harrow should be registered?

Most property in Harrow is registered. An 'epitome' is basically a dossier of photocopies of documents affecting an unregistered title. Plenty of Harrow conveyancing solicitors will be able to handle this type of conveyancing but in the event that uncertainty reigns the usual proposition nowadays is for the seller to deal with the registration formalities first and thereafter deal with the dispose of the property to the purchaser - this will have a domino effect to result in a significant delay.