My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Chafford Hundred. I need to find out if they are on the conveyancing panel. Can you advise?

The first thing to do is contact the conveyancer and ask them whether they can act for the bank. Otherwise you should get in touch with who may be able to confirm.

How does conveyancing in Chafford Hundred differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Chafford Hundred approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is finished. This is because house builders in Chafford Hundred typically buy the land, 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 Chafford Hundred or who has acted in the same development.

I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £305k and found one near me in Chafford Hundred I like with a park and transport links nearby, however it only has 49 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Chafford Hundred in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?

Should you require a home loan the shortness of the lease will likely be problematic. Discount the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you may request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this.

My husband and I are 14 days into a freehold purchase having been directed to a firm by the selling agent to carry out the conveyancing in Chafford Hundred. I am am starting to be frustrated with the level of service. Could you you assist me in finding new solicitors?

A solicitor would have to be really bad in order to consider changing them. Has your loan offer been issued? In the event that it has you will need to make them aware of the new solicitor and have the offer are re-sent. Your conveyancer needs to be on the banks panel to avoid added expenses and delays. So that should be your starting point. The find a solicitor tool will help you find a lender approved lawyer for your conveyancing in Chafford Hundred

Leasehold Conveyancing in Chafford Hundred - Sample of Questions you should ask before buying

Is the freehold owned collectively by the tenants? You should want to discover as much as you can about the managing agents as they will either make living at the property much easier or uncomfortable. Being a leasehold owner you are frequently in the clutches of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to every day issues such as the tidiness of the common parts. Enquire of other tenants if they are happy with their service. On a final note, find out the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the managing agents and specifically how they are spending the funds. Best to be warned whether window replacement or some other significant cost is pending to be shared by the leaseholders and will materially impact the level of the maintenance fees or require a specific payment.