My uncle informed me that in purchasing a property in Beckenham there could be various restrictions as to what one can do in terms of external alterations to a property. Is this right?

We are aware of anumerous of properties in Beckenham which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to execute external variations. Part of the conveyancing in Beckenham should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

I am planning to move house in . Should my conveyancing solicitor update the removal company on the day of completion. Incidentally, can you suggest a removal company in Beckenham. Conveyancing firm was found prior to coming across your page.

On the day of completion you will need to pick up the house keys from the property agent however this should only be done once the sellers solicitors advise the agent that they have the completion monies and the keys can be handed over. You can inform the removal company that you are ready to move in. As a matter of policy we do not suggest a particular removal company but can assist you in locating a conveyancing in Beckenham or a firm with expertise in conveyancing in Beckenham.

Having digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Beckenham solicitor - who is on the conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?

will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Beckenham surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.

My colleague advised me that where I am purchasing in Beckenham I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

This is a search is occasionally quoted for as part of the standard Beckenham conveyancing searches. It is a large report of more than thirty pages, listing and detailing important information about Beckenham around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Beckenham Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Beckenham Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information regarding Beckenham.

I used Wolstenholmes several years ago for my conveyancing in Beckenham. Now, I need my files but cannot find the solicitor. What do I do?

You should contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Beckenham of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously used, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

How do I use the search tool to find a conveyancing lawyer in Beckenham on the panel for my lender?

First choose a bank such as , or then choose your preferred area such as Beckenham. Conveyancing firms in Beckenham and further afield will then be shown.

I am the registered owner of a garden flat in Beckenham, conveyancing formalities finalised 1995. Can you shed any light on how much the price could be for a 90 year extension to my lease? Comparable properties in Beckenham with an extended lease are worth £165,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £45 yearly. The lease terminates on 21st October 50

With only 50 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £36,100 and £41,800 as well as costs.

The figure above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive due diligence. You should not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt additional concerns that need to be considered and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information before getting professional advice.