Unfortunately I am unable to travel far from Colindale. What is the rationale as to why all Colindale property lawyers aren't included on all bank panels?

Banks normally impose restrictions on either the nature or the number of conveyancing solicitors on their panel. Typical examples of such criteria being that the practice must have at least two partners. As well as restricting the type of firm, some banks made a decision to restrict the number of firms they permit to represent them. It is worth noting that building societies have no accountability for the standard of service supplied by any Colindale lawyer on their panel. Property fraud was the key driver in the reduction of conveyancing panels a few years ago even though there are contrary points of view about the extent of solicitor involvement in some of that fraud. Statistics published by HMLR exposes that thousands of law practices only carry out less than three conveyances annually. Those advocating conveyancing panel consolidation ask why law firms should have claim to be listed on a conveyancing panel when clearly conveyancing is not their speciality?

I am buying a new build flat in Colindale. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Here are examples of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Colindale

Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in two weeks back in what was supposed to be a quick, no chain conveyancing. Colindale is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Colindale are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Colindale you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Colindale may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.

I need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Colindale for my sale. Can I see a firm’s complaints history with the legal regulator?

Anyone may see published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations stemming from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors 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, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor telephone calls for training requirements.

Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 72 years left on my lease in Colindale. I now want to get lease extension but my landlord is can not be found. What should I do?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, 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 Court. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have done all that could be expected to locate the freeholder. For most situations an enquiry agent would be helpful to try and locate and to produce a report to be used as evidence that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer in relation to proving the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court overseeing Colindale.

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

in cases where there is a missing landlord or where there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant statutes it is possible to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to determine the sum to be paid.

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Colindale premises is 27B Hillside in February 2010. the resulting premium, all other aspects of the valuation having been agreed between the parties was set at £8,250 This case affected 1 flat. The remaining number of years on the lease was 70.25 years.