My previous lawyer has quoted £1200 for freehold conveyancing in Stockton on Tees. I’m hoping to downsize from a modern detached home for £175,000. Is this overpriced? Is it in excess of the average fee for conveyancing in Stockton on Tees?

The estimate does seem marginally overpriced. If you shop around you may be able to trim some of the expense by perhaps £125. On the other hand, you maycome to regret choosing an an untested solicitor. Remember to ensure that the firm can represent your mortgage company. You can employ our search tool to select a Stockton on Tees conveyancing practice on the lender’s approved list of lawyers which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Stockton on Tees.

Can the conveyancing practitioners Indexed on your site handle auction conveyancing in Stockton on Tees?

We know of a few niche practitioners we can put you in touch with those specialising in auction conveyancing. Stockton on Tees is just one of hundreds of areas of where our lawyers are based.

I opted to have a survey done on a house in Stockton on Tees ahead of retaining solicitors. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. My surveyor has said that some mortgage companies tend refuse to grant a mortgage on such a premises.

It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different instructions for example to Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to telephone us we can check via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Stockton on Tees. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor for residential conveyancing in Stockton on Tees. I've discover a site which looks to be the ideal answer If it is possible to get all this stuff completed via web that would be ideal. Should I be concerned? What are the potential pitfalls?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

I am employed by a busy estate agent office in Stockton on Tees where we have witnessed a few leasehold sales put at risk as a result of leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have been given conflicting advice from local Stockton on Tees conveyancing solicitors. Could you clarify whether the owner of a flat can initiate the lease extension formalities for the buyer?

As long as 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. This means that the buyer can avoid having to wait 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment has to be done prior to, or at the same time as completion of the sale.

Alternatively, it may be possible to extend the lease informally by agreement with the landlord 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 buyer.

Stockton on Tees Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

How many years remain on the lease? Is anyone aware of any major works on the horizon that could increase the maintenance costs? What is the name of the managing agents?