I have given 2 months notice to my current landlord and must leave my rented flat in New Mills by the end of next month. Conveyancing on my purchase is underway. Is it possible to complete in 5 weeks as I wish to avoid having to find short term accommodation?

It is unwise to provide notice for your lease unless you have exchanged. Assuming that you have not previously done so, notify to your lawyer and request that they apply pressure on the owners side, try to get a realistic time scale from them that everyone will look towards

A friend pointed out to me me that in buying a property in New Mills there could be a number of restrictions preventing external changes to the property. Is this right?

There are a number of properties in New Mills which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to external alterations. Part of the conveyancing in New Mills should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

Last month we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Clydesdale. New Mills conveyancing solicitors were selected. How long does it take for Clydesdale to issue the offer to the conveyancing practitioner?

There is no definitive answer here. Have Clydesdale done the valuation? Have you informed Clydesdale as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in New Mills off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Kent Reliance. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Kent Reliance, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel.

I have been sourcing a conveyancing practitioner in New Mills for my remortgage. Is it possible to see a firm’s complaints history with the profession’s regulator?

One may review documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors record, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA may recorded call for training reasons.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in New Mills. Conveyancing and Virgin Money mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the freehold. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1996. The conveyancing solicitor in New Mills who acted for me is not around. Any advice?

First contact HMLR to be sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. There is no need to incur the fees of a New Mills conveyancing lawyer to do this as it can be done on-line for a few pound. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I acquired a ground floor flat in New Mills, conveyancing was carried out March 2011. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Similar properties in New Mills with a long lease are worth £170,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 invoiced every year. The lease ends on 21st October 2103

With only 79 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £7,600 and £8,800 plus costs.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to advice on a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt additional concerns that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not take any other action based on this information without first getting professional advice.

I'm purchasing a flat in New Mills. I have found my conveyancer's company on the Law Society's list, but I can't locate my conveyancer's name on the list. Should I be concerned?

Not every individual in the company must be listed by the regulator. Provided there is a manager qualified to 'oversee' the conveyancing, the actual day-to-day activity can be conducted by unqualified staff.