We see that you have a search directory identifying solicitors on the Co-operative conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I instruct them for our conveyancing in Woodford?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Co-operative conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Woodford.

I am the single recipient of my late father’s estate and I have everything in my name now, including the my former home in Woodford. The Woodford property was put into my name in December. I now wish to sell up. I do know about the Mortgage Lenders six month 'rule', which means that my property ownership may be regarded the same way as if I'd bought the property in December. Will no one buy the property for half a year?

The CML handbook obliges solicitors to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." Technically you might be caught by that. Most banks would take a practical view as this provision is primarily there to pick up on the purchase and immediately sell or the flipping of properties.

We were going to get a OIP from Virgin Money this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Virgin Money recommend any Woodford solicitors on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?

You will need to appoint Woodford solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Virgin Money through the process.

The formalities of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Woodford. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I would like to complain about the lender. How does one go about formally complaining?

Most banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Department at head office. We understand that complaints to a lender are resolved very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.

I purchased my flat on 4 September and the transaction details is yet to be on the land registry website. Any reason for this? My conveyancing solicitor in Woodford advises it will be dealt with in less than a month. Are properties in Woodford particularly slow to register?

There is nothing unique about conveyancing in Woodford registration formalities. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timescales can adjust according to who lodges the application, whether there are errors and if the Land registry communicate with any third parties. Currently approximately 80% of such applications are fully addressed in less than three weeks but some can be subject to extensive delays. Registration takes place once the buyer has moved in to the property so 'speed' is not typically top priority but where it is urgent that the the registration takes place urgently then you or your solicitor must communicate with the Registry to express the reasoning for the application to be prioritised.

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have since been informed that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns buying a leasehold house in Woodford. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Woodford are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are buying in Woodford so you should seriously consider looking for a Woodford conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they have experience in dealing with leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the landlord’sconsent to conduct alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the estate where the house is located on an estate. Your lawyer should report to you on the legal implications.

I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord to extend my lease without success. Can one apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Woodford conveyancing firm to assist?

Absolutely. We can put you in touch with a Woodford conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement decision for a Woodford flat is 201 & 201a St. Barnabas Road in October 2013. The Tribunal decided that the price to be paid by the Applicants for the freehold interest is £20,071. This case affected 2 flats. The unexpired lease term was 69.26 years.

What are the differing property law services that Woodford conveyancing firms manage?

Most Woodford conveyancing solicitors will handle a wide array of services to domestic and rural land proprietors, sellers, purchasers, freeholders and tenants including the following:

Standard residential sale conveyancing in Woodford and throughout the rest of the country House purchase conveyancing in Woodford and further afield lifetime mortgages and equity release conveyancing New Build Conveyancing Complex property law issues Woodford conveyancing for repossessed property