We are soon to complete on the purchase of a house in Thames Ditton but as a consequence of wreckage from some water damage at the property I have managed to agree compensation from the seller of £3k in the form of a adjustment in the price. This was going to be addressed as part of a side agreement however Santander will not agree to this. Should they have been approached?

Any solicitor being on the Santander approved list is obliged to disclose to Santander of any amendments to the sale price. If you were to refuse your conveyancer to disclose the price change to Santander then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, Santander and you would have to appoint a new property lawyer for your conveyancing in Thames Ditton.

Will my lawyer be making enquiries about flooding during the conveyancing in Thames Ditton.

Flooding is a growing risk for lawyers dealing with homes in Thames Ditton. There are those who purchase a house in Thames Ditton, fully aware that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, aside from the physical destruction, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, satisfactory building insurance, or dispose of the property. Steps can be carried out as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.

Lawyers are not qualified to impart advice on flood risk, however there are a various searches that can be undertaken by the purchaser or by their lawyers which should give them a better appreciation of the risks in Thames Ditton. The standard information given to a buyer’s conveyancer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) contains a usual question of the owner to find out if the premises has suffered from flooding. If the property has been flooded in past and is not revealed by the seller, then a purchaser could commence a claim for damages resulting from an misleading response. A buyer’s conveyancers will also order an enviro report. This will reveal if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, more detailed inquiries should be conducted.

I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £195,000 and found one near me in Thames Ditton I like with a park and transport links in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 52 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Thames Ditton for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?

Should you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term may be an issue. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the property for at least twenty four months you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor concerning this matter.

My partner has suggested that I appoint his conveyancing solicitors in Thames Ditton. Should I find my own conveyancer?

Much as we are happy to recommend a Thames Ditton conveyancing lawyer it’s preferable to select a conveyancing practitioner is to seek feedback from friends or relatives who have actually experience in using the conveyancer you're are thinking of instructing.

I am tempted by the attractive purchase price for a couple of apartments in Thames Ditton both have in the region of forty five years unexpired on the lease term. Will this present a problem?

There are plenty of short leases in Thames Ditton. The lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the premises for a period of time. As a lease shortens the marketability of the lease deteriorates and results in it becoming more expensive to acquire a lease extension. For this reason it is advisable to increase the term of the lease. More often than not it is difficult to sell a property with a short lease because mortgage lenders may be reluctant to lend money on properties of this type. Lease extension can be a protracted process. We recommend you get professional assistance from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this arena.

I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord to extend my lease without getting anywhere. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on such matters? Can you recommend a Thames Ditton conveyancing firm to act on my behalf?

in cases where there is a absentee landlord or where there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 it is possible to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to arrive at the price payable.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a Thames Ditton residence is Flat D 15 Claremont Gardens in September 2013. TheTribunal determined in accordance with section48 and Schedule13 of the Leasehold Reform,Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 that the premium for the extended lease should be fourteen thousand one hundred and eighty seven pounds (£14,187.00) This case was in relation to 1 flat.