2 months have elapsed following my purchase conveyancing in Hightown concluded. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £160,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the property from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Hightown prior to appointing conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the property. My surveyor advised that some mortgage companies may not give a loan on this type of premises.

It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different instructions from Birmingham Midshires. If you call us we can check with the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Hightown. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Hightown especially if they are acquainted with such properties in Hightown.

We're FTB’s - agreed a price, yet the selling agent advised that the vendor will only issue a contract if we appoint the agent's recommended solicitors as they want a ‘quick sale’. Our preferred option is to instruct a family solicitor with experience of conveyancing in Hightown

It is improbable the vendors are driving this. Should the owner desire ‘a quick sale', turning down a genuine purchaser is is going to put the whole deal at risk. Avoid the agents and go straight to the owners and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances in place © you do not need to sell (d) you wish to move quickly (e)however you are going to appoint your own,trusted Hightown conveyancing solicitors - as opposed tothose that will earn their estate agent a kickback or meet his conveyancing figures demanded by HQ.

Can you provide any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Hightown from the perspective of expediting the sale process?

• Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Hightown can be bypassed if you appoint lawyers as soon as you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold information which will be required by the purchasers’ solicitors.
Many landlords or managing agents in Hightown charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold home. You or your lawyers should enquire as to the actual amount of the charges. The management pack sought on or before finding a buyer, thus reducing delays. The average time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most frequent cause of delay in leasehold conveyancing in Hightown. If you have carried out any alterations to the residence would they have required Landlord’s permission? In particular have you installed wooden flooring? Hightown leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or addition of wooden flooring necessitate a licence issued by the Landlord consenting to such works. Should you dont have the consents in place you should not communicate with the landlord without contacting your solicitor in advance. If you have had any disputes with your landlord or managing agents it is very important that these are resolved prior to the flat being marketed. The purchasers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a flat where there is an ongoing dispute. You may need to swallow your pride and pay any arrears of service charge or settle the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal particulars of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is clearly preferable to present the dispute as historic as opposed to ongoing. You believe that you know the number of years left on your lease but it would be wise to verify this by asking your solicitors. A buyer’s conveyancer will be unlikely to recommend their client to proceed with the purchase of a leasehold property the remaining number of years is less than 80 years. It is therefore important at an early stage that you consider whether the lease requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

I own a studio flat in Hightown, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Corresponding properties in Hightown with a long lease are worth £175,000. The ground rent is £65 invoiced every year. The lease runs out on 21st October 2082

With 58 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £23,800 and £27,400 plus professional fees.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs without more comprehensive investigations. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

Is there a reason that Hightown conveyancing charges are higher for leasehold and freehold properties?

Inevitably there is more work required for leasehold conveyancing. Hightown has many leasehold properties. There is more hours involved in the purchase: for example, the lease and leasehold information (including up to date service charge, ground rent and buildings insurance details) obtained from the freeholder or managing agents. There are strict criteria that the lease must meet in order to be acceptable to a mortgage company. If it does not meet these requirements, the lease must be amended, which can involve additional expense for the seller.