I have given 8 weeks notice to my existing landlord and have to vacate my let out flat in West Hendon by 28/4/2025. Conveyancing on my purchase is progressing. Is it possible to complete in three weeks as don't want to have to move into short term accommodation?

The normal practice is not to give notice on a rental unless exchange of contracts has taken place. Assuming that you have not previously done so, contact to your conveyancer and request that they apply pressure on the owners lawyers, try to a target completion date that everyone will aim to achieve

It has been three months since my purchase conveyancing in West Hendon took place. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £150,000 when infact I paid £170,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the property from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

I opted to have a survey done on a property in West Hendon prior to instructing conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the property. The surveyor has said that some lenders will refuse to issue a mortgage on a flying freehold premises.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds 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 West Hendon. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in West Hendon to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

Helen (my wife) and I may need to rent out our West Hendon 1st floor flat for a while due to a new job. We instructed a West Hendon conveyancing practice in 2001 but they have closed and we did not have the foresight to get any guidance as to whether the lease prohibits the subletting of the flat. How do we find out?

A small minority of properties in West Hendon do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord cannot unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to review references. Experience suggests that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting permission.

We have reached the end of our tether in seeking a lease extension in West Hendon. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on premiums?

Most certainly. We can put you in touch with a West Hendon conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension decision for a West Hendon residence is First Floor Flat 61 Wilberforce Road in March 2014. The premium payable was £10,130 and the case was remitted back to the Willesden County Court to effect the Vesting Order (Claim No 3W103100). This case was in relation to 1 flat. The unexpired residue of the current lease was 71 years.

When it comes to my conveyancing in West Hendon should I be paying VAT on the following: (1) Land reg fee on purchase (2) Pre - completion search fee (3) SDLT E submission on purchase (4) Bank TT fee

(1) Land reg fee on purchase - No (2) Pre - completion search fees -No, (such conveyancing searches are HMLR ones and means £4 and possibly £2 bankruptcy per name on your mortgage) (3) SDLT E submission on your purchase - There is no VAT on Stamp Duty. However if the firm is charging a stamp duty e-submission fee as part of their services - some West Hendon conveyancers do - that will incur VAT(4) Bank transfer fee - Yes it is for the property lawyer's time in submitting the funds this way.