My partner’s brother is a property lawyer. I am hopeful that I'll be able to get mate’s pricing for conveyancing, but if not, what level of fees would I typically be looking at for conveyancing in Horfield?

It’s advisable to request multiple conveyancing quotes. Do use our search tool on this site. The charges will vary but the service one can expect differ between property lawyers as is the case with most professions.

I am purchasing my first flat in Horfield with the aid of help to buy. The developers would not move on the price so I negotiated £7000 of extras instead. The house builders rep suggested that I not to tell my solicitor about this deal as it could jeopardize my mortgage with Virgin Money. Should I keep quiet?.

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.

I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £305k and found one round the corner in Horfield I like with open areas and transport links in the vicinity, however it only has 61 years on the lease. There is not much else in Horfield in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a short lease?

Should you require a home loan that many years will be problematic. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the property for at least twenty four months you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.

My step-father has suggested that I appoint his conveyancing solicitors in Horfield. Should I find my own conveyancer?

There are no two ways about it the best way to select a conveyancing lawyer is to seek referrals from friends or family who have actually experience in using the firm that you are considering.

I work for a reputable estate agent office in Horfield where we have witnessed a few leasehold sales jeopardised as a result of leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have been given inconsistent advice from local Horfield conveyancing firms. Could you clarify whether the owner of a flat can initiate the lease extension formalities for the buyer?

Provided that the seller has owned the lease for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the buyer need not have to wait 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed before, or simultaneously with completion of the sale.

Alternatively, it may be possible to agree the lease extension with the freeholder either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the purchaser.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Horfield - A selection of Queries Prior to buying

Does the lease include onerous restrictions? Are there any major works on the horizon that could add a premium to the maintenance costs? Where a Horfield lease has fewer than eighty years it will have adverse implications on the marketability of the apartment. Check with your mortgage company that they are willing to lend given the lease term. A short lease means that you will most likely need a lease extension at some point and you need to have some idea of how much this will be. Remember, in most cases you would need to own the premises for 24 months before you are entitled to exercise a lease extension.