We were about to retain a conveyancing solicitor in West Thurrock recommended using your comparison tool but have come across some other fee calculations on the internet appear less pricey – how come?

There are plenty of conveyancing organisations promoting self styled cheap conveyancing, unfortunately it’s common in such cases for additionalfees end up with the final fee markedly uplifted. Solicitors are duty bound to ensure charges listed in terms and conditions should be equitable raised The solicitors that we list for conveyancing in West Thurrock clearly state all legal fees for a residential conveyancing transaction.

Can I be sure that the West Thurrock conveyancing solicitor on the Barclays panel is any good?

When it comes to conveyancing in West Thurrock getting recommendations is a sensible starting point. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one advertising the lowest fees. We would always recommend that you speak with the lawyer carrying out your transaction.

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in West Thurrock off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Virgin Money. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Virgin Money, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel.

My offer was accepted on an apartment in West Thurrock on 30/10/2024, valuation was booked 2 days later, received a clean bill of health. Property lawyer retained, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Principality and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Principality conveyancing panel. Are Principality entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?

A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Principality to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Principality conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

I have been on the look out for a ground for flat up to £235,500 and identified one close by in West Thurrock I like with open areas and station in the vicinity, however it only has 61 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in West Thurrock for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a lease with such few years left?

If you require a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will likely be problematic. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you can ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.

Can you provide any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in West Thurrock with the aim of saving time on the sale process?

• Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in West Thurrock can be reduced where you instruct lawyers the minute you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers’ conveyancers.
If there is a history of conflict with your freeholder or managing agents it is essential that these are settled before the property is marketed. The buyers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a property where there is an ongoing dispute. You may have to bite the bullet and discharge any arrears of service charge or resolve the dispute prior to completion of the sale. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal details of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is better to present the dispute as over as opposed to ongoing. Some West Thurrock leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this is the case, you should place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers put in hand financial (bank) and professional references. The bank reference should make it clear that the buyer is able to meet the yearly service charge and the actual amount of the service charge should be quoted in the bank’s letter. You will therefore need to provide your estate agents with the service charge figures so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their lawyers. If you hold a share in a the Management Company, you should ensure that you are holding the original share document. Arranging a new share certificate can be a lengthy formality and frustrates many a West Thurrock conveyancing deal. Where a duplicate share certificate is required, do contact the company officers or managing agents (if relevant) for this sooner rather than later. You believe that you know the number of years remaining on your lease but you should verify this by asking your lawyers. A purchaser's conveyancer will not be happy to advise their client to to exchange contracts if the remaining number of years is under 80 years. In the circumstances it is important at an early stage that you consider whether the lease term for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your premises on the market for sale.

I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord to extend my lease without success. Can I make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a West Thurrock conveyancing firm to act on my behalf?

Most definitely. We can put you in touch with a West Thurrock conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a West Thurrock flat is Various @ Colombus Square in January 2012. the Tribunal calculated the premiums to be paid for new leases for each of the flats in Mariners Walk to be £3822 and the premium to be paid for the new lease of 2 Knights Court to be £4439. This case was in relation to 13 flats. The unexpired residue of the current lease was 76 years.

Are all West Thurrock legal practices on every bank conveyancing panel?

You can use our search tool or you can pop into your high street bank branch in West Thurrock. Chances are that they can recommend conveyancing solicitors in West Thurrock