When researching online forums for an affordable solicitor in Hyde Park, most advise that I must look for a CQS assured lawyer. What is CQS?

The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) provides a kitemark for residential conveyancing practices issued by the Law Society. Membership achievement establishes a level of credibility for member firms with stakeholders (regulators, lenders, insurers and consumers) based upon: * the integrity of the senior responsible officer and other key conveyancing staff * the firm's adherence to good practice management standards * adherence to prudent and efficient conveyancing processes through the scheme protocol the standard covers numerous firms who perform conveyancing in Hyde Park.

Do commercial conveyancing searches reveal impending roadworks that may impact a commercial property in Hyde Park?

Its becoming the norm that commercial conveyancing solicitors in Hyde Park will carry out a SiteSolutions Highways report as it reduces the time that conveyancers expend in looking into accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Hyde Park. The search result provides definitive data on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Hyde Park.

For every commercial conveyancing transaction in Hyde Park it is critical to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. Failure to identify developments where adoption procedures have not been dealt with adequately may cause delays to Hyde Park commercial conveyancing deals as well as pose a risk to future intentions for the site. These searches are not ordered for residential conveyancing in Hyde Park.

I have a terraced Georgian house in Hyde Park. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Coventry Building Society. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are a couple of entries: the first freehold, another for leasehold under the exact same address. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

You should assess 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 proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Hyde Park and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also check the situation with the conveyancing lawyer who carried out the work.

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

Most buyers of new build premises in Hyde Park come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is finished. This is because new home sellers in Hyde Park tend to acquire the site, 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 conveyancers 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 Hyde Park or who has acted in the same development.

What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Hyde Park conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Hyde Park conveyancing practice) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you talk with two or three firms including non Hyde Park conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions could be helpful:

How experienced is the firm with lease extension legislation? Can they put you in touch with clients in Hyde Park who can give a testimonial?

Hyde Park Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Queries before Purchasing

How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments? Is the freehold reversion owned collectively by the tenants? What is the the remaining lease term?