I have given 2 months notice to my current landlord and must be out of my rented flat in West Kensington by the end of next month. Conveyancing for my house purchase is underway. Is it possible to complete in six weeks as I wish to avoid having to move into short term accommodation?

Generally one should not serve notice on a rental until exchange of contracts has taken place. If you have not already done so, update to your lawyer and request that they cajole the other solicitors, try to get a realistic time scale from them that everyone will work towards

Why do I have to pay up front for conveyancing in West Kensington?

If you are buying a property in West Kensington your lawyer will ask you put them with monies to cover the the cost of the conveyancing searches. Normally this is asked for to cover the fees of the Local Authority Search. If any deposit is as part of the purchase price then this should be asked for immediately in advance of exchange of contracts. The final balance that is needed should be transferred shortly before completion.

The deeds to our home are lost. The solicitors who handled the conveyancing in West Kensington 4 years ago no longer exist. What are my next steps?

You no longer need to have the physical deeds to evidence that you own the land or property, as the Land Registry have everything they need in a digital format.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build apartment in West Kensington. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in West Kensington

The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a ground for flat up to £245,000 and identified one close by in West Kensington I like with amenity areas and station in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 51 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in West Kensington in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a lease with such few years left?

If you require a mortgage the shortness of the lease may be problematic. Reduce the price by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you could request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor concerning this matter.