I have just been advised by my mortgage adviser that my Hatton Park lawyer is not on the mortgage company Solicitor panel. What can I do to be sure if this is correct?

The first thing you need to do is to call your Hatton Park conveyancer. You lawyer should advise you of the situation. Where they are not on the panel they may recommend you to a Hatton Park conveyancing practice that is on the approved list of lawyers for your lender.

I purchased a freehold premises in Hatton Park but still charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Hatton Park and has limited impact for conveyancing in Hatton Park but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.

I decided to have a survey carried out on a house in Hatton Park in advance of instructing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. My surveyor advised that some banks tend refuse to issue a loan on such a property.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Santander has different requirements for example to Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can investigate further via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Hatton Park. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Hatton Park especially if they are familiar with such properties in Hatton Park.

My father-in-law has suggested that I use his conveyancers in Hatton Park. Should I choose my own conveyancer?

Much as we are happy to recommend a Hatton Park conveyancing lawyer it’s preferable to find a conveyancing solicitor is to seek recommendations from friends or family who have experience in using the solicitor that you are are thinking of instructing.

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my basement flat in Hatton Park. Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon, however I have recently had a quarterly maintenance charge invoice – what should I do?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should pay the invoice as normal as all rents and maintenance invoices should be apportioned as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you will be reimbursed by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

I am the registered owner of a studio flat in Hatton Park, conveyancing was carried out half a dozen years ago. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Similar properties in Hatton Park with over 90 years remaining are worth £197,000. The ground rent is £55 levied per year. The lease ends on 21st October 2080

With 55 years remaining on your lease we estimate the price of your lease extension to range between £31,400 and £36,200 as well as professional fees.

The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other issues that need to be taken into account and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information without first getting professional advice.