I am acquiring residence in Stafford. My Conveyancer is not on the lender solicitor panel. Can I still continue with my Stafford conveyancing solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the mortgage company approved list?

You will need to use a property lawyer to complete the formalities when you require a mortgage to buy your property. They will conduct all the appropriate legal checks on the property, ensuring that you will be registered as proprietor and ensure that all the necessary mortgage paperwork is dealt with. One may select a Stafford conveyancer of your choosing. Nevertheless, where the property lawyer selected is not a member of the mortgage company solicitor panel further costs will be levied as separate legal representation will be need by the bank. Conveyancing panel applications may be submitted, so where your conveyancer has not historically sought membership they should do so.

Do I need to visit the offices of the solicitor to sign the mortgage deed? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Stafford so that I can attend their offices if required.

Nowadays approved lawyers for banks carry out their work through the post, e-mail or over phone calls. This means that they can undertake the conveyancing transaction no matter where you live in the country. Nevertheless you should see if you can still book an appointment to visit conveyancing lawyer if just in case this is required.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on last month in what should have been a quick, no chain conveyancing. Stafford is where the house is located. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Stafford are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Stafford you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Stafford may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a great figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Stafford. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been appointed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Stafford are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Stafford so you should seriously consider looking for a Stafford conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the freeholder’spermission to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer should advise you fully on all the issues.

I invested in buying a garden flat in Stafford, 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 flats in Stafford with over 90 years remaining are worth £211,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £45 invoiced every year. The lease runs out on 21st October 2092

With just 67 years unexpired the likely cost is going to span between £10,500 and £12,000 plus costs.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to provide a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed investigations. You should not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other issues that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward based on this information without first getting professional advice.

At long last our conveyancing in Stafford completes next Friday, but the couple I am buying off wants to move out on the Saturday midday. Should I accept such a idea?

You can't complete on a Saturday because the bank systems aren't working.