My wife and I are purchasing a house in South Harrow. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a solicitor? At some point we have to deposit money into their account. What protection do we have from them run away with our monies?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

This question may be naive but I am unseasoned as FTB of a ground floor flat in South Harrow. Do I pick up the keys to the house on the completion date from my lawyer? If this is the case, I will find a High Street conveyancing solicitor in South Harrow?

There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will arrange to send the completion advance to the seller's conveyancers, and once they have received this, you will be invited to collect the keys from the Estate Agents and start moving into the property. This tends to happen early afternoon.

The formalities of my purchase has taken place for my property in South Harrow. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How does one go about formally complaining?

Almost all banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Department at head office. In most cases complaints to a lender are sorted out very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.

Should my conveyancer be raising questions regarding flooding during the conveyancing in South Harrow.

The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for solicitors dealing with homes in South Harrow. There are those who acquire a property in South Harrow, fully expectant that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, aside from the physical damage, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, suitable insurance cover, or dispose of the premises. Steps can be carried out during the course of a house purchase to forewarn the buyer.

Lawyers are not best placed to impart advice on flood risk, however there are a numerous checks that may be initiated by the buyer or by their conveyancers which can give them a better understanding of the risks in South Harrow. The conventional set of property information forms supplied to a buyer’s solicitor (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) includes a usual question of the seller to determine whether the property has historically flooded. In the event that flooding has previously occurred and is not revealed by the seller, then a buyer could issue a claim for damages stemming from an misleading reply. A purchaser’s conveyancers may also carry out an environmental report. This will indicate whether there is any known flood risk. If so, additional investigations will need to be initiated.

About to purchase a new build flat in South Harrow. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

Here are examples of a few leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in South Harrow

Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided.

How can the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 impact my business offices in South Harrow and how can your lawyers assist?

The 1954 Act gives a safeguard to commercial leaseholders, granting the right to apply to court for a renewal tenancy and continue in occupation when the lease comes to an end. There are limited grounds where a landlord can refuse a lease renewal and the rules are complicated. We are happy to direct you to commercial conveyancing solicitors who use the act for protection and help with commercial conveyancing in South Harrow

How much will conveyancing in South Harrow cost?

The amount you are charged for conveyancing in South Harrow will vary dramatically from solicitor to solicitor. Given these variations it especially important that you have a complete summary of fees when you first appoint a lawyer. It is advisable to find three or four like for like quotes.