My partner and I have recently purchased a house in Borehamwood. We have noticed several problems with the property which we consider were overlooked in the conveyancing searches. Do we have any recourse? What searches should? have been ordered as part of conveyancing in Borehamwood?

It is not clear from the question as what problems have arisen and if they are specific to conveyancing in Borehamwood. Conveyancing searches and due diligence undertaken during the buying process are supposed to help avoid problems. As part of the process, a property owner answers a questionnaire called a Seller’s Property Information Form. answers proves to be misleading, you could possibly take legal action against the seller for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Borehamwood.

How does conveyancing in Borehamwood differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Borehamwood contact us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because builders in Borehamwood tend to purchase the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Borehamwood or who has acted in the same development.

I am looking for a ground for flat up to £245,000 and identified one close by in Borehamwood I like with a park and railway links in the vicinity, the downside is that it only has 52 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Borehamwood for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a short lease?

If you require a mortgage the shortness of the lease may be problematic. Discount the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you can request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.

I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing practitioner in Borehamwood for my home move. Can I see a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?

You can read published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions arising from investigations started on or after 1 January 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For details Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may monitor telephone calls for training reasons.

I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Borehamwood. Before diving in I want to be sure as to the number of years remaining on the lease.

If the lease is recorded at the land registry - and almost all are in Borehamwood - then the leasehold title will always include the basic details of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title. For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.

After years of correspondence we cannot agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Borehamwood. Does the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal have jurisdiction to calculate the appropriate figures?

You certainly can. We can put you in touch with a Borehamwood conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a Borehamwood flat is Ground Floor Maisonette 17 Milton Road in January 2014. The Tribunal determined the premium payable by the Applicant to the should be £13,299 This case affected 1 flat. The unexpired lease term was 71.73 years.