Is it realistic for conveyancing in Totteridge to be completed in a month?

First, If you are under time constraints for your conveyancing it is advisable to make sure that your conveyancer is familiar with the location as they will have local relationships and knowledge. It is even conceivable that they would have handled previousproperties in the same neighbourhood. Therefore consider using a Totteridge conveyancing solicitor. Second, be sure that the lawyer is on the lender panel. It is understood that nearly one in five of Totteridge conveyancing deals are delayed or derailed after discovering a purchaser’s lawyer was not on their mortgage lender’s panel. In many cases this discovery resulted in the conveyancing being delayed by as much as three weeks. It is said that this issue impacts in the region of one hundred thousand home moves annually. Almost all Totteridge conveyancing practices can not represent certain banks so do check at the outset.

I used Action Conveyancing several years ago for my conveyancing in Totteridge. Now, I need my files however cannot find the solicitor. What do I do?

You should call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Totteridge of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I am buying a new build apartment in Totteridge. Conveyancing is necessary evil 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.

Set out below are examples of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Totteridge

Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. Please supply evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants.

Last May I purchased a leasehold house in Totteridge. Am I liable to pay service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

I have given up trying to purchase the freehold in Totteridge. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

in cases where there is a absentee freeholder or if there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant legislation it is possible to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to determine the price.

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Totteridge residence is Flat 2 2 Netherfield Road in April 2010. The Tribunale held that premium payable for a 90 year extension to the existing Lease should be £7,705. This case affected 1 flat. The unexpired lease term was 76 years.

I am contemplating using an online property lawyer rather than a Totteridge conveyancing practice. Am I making a mistake?

Numerous benefits exist in being able to pop in to a local Totteridge conveyancing solicitor for example

• signing papers on short notice
• getting one on one explanations of issues that need explaining
• the ability to complain if things need to addressed

When checking estimates, look carefully for hidden extras. Most decent Totteridge high street solicitors give an all-inclusive price. Many online agents appear to offer cheap fees, but have hidden 'extras' in the fine print.