My wife and I are only a couple days away from an exchange on a flat in Altrincham and my mum and dad have transferred the exchange deposit to my conveyancer. I am now told that as the deposit has not arrived from me my conveyancer needs to make a notification to my mortgage company. Apparently, in also acting for the lender he must advise them that the balance of the purchase price is not just from me. I advised the bank about my parents' contribution when I applied for the home loan, so is it really appropriate for this now to hold matters up?

The property lawyer is obliged to check with the bank to ensure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only disclose this to your mortgage company if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.

A colleague suggested that where I am purchasing in Altrincham I should ask my conveyancer to perform a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

A search of this type is occasionally included in the estimate for your Altrincham conveyancing searches. It is a large report of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out significant information about Altrincham around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Altrincham Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information about Altrincham.

I have been pointed in your direction by numerous selling agents in Altrincham to choose a solicitor using your seach tool. What’s the financial incentive for Estate Agents to offer your lawyers over alternative conveyancing organisations?

We refuse to give any financial incentive for pointing buyers and sellers our way. We thought it would be too underhand a fee because a client could think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing lawyer in Altrincham for my home move. Is there any facility to check a solicitor's record with the legal regulator?

You may see presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations stemming from investigations commenced on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA could recorded telephone calls for training requirements.

Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 72 years remaining on my lease in Altrincham. I am keen to get lease extension but my freeholder is can not be found. What options are available to me?

On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be extended by the magistrate. However, you will be required to prove that you have made all reasonable attempts to locate the freeholder. For most situations an enquiry agent should be helpful to conduct investigations and to produce a report which can be accepted by the court as proof that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a solicitor in relation to devolving into the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court overseeing Altrincham.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Altrincham - Examples of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

The best form of lease structure is a share of the freehold. In this arrangement the lessees have being in charge if their destiny and notwithstanding that a managing agent is often employed if the building is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent is directed by the tenants. Are any of leasehold owners in arrears of their service charge liability? How many years remain on the lease?