It is is a decade since I acquired my home in Crouch End. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been appointed on the sale but I can't locate my title documents. Is this a major issue?

You need not be too concerned. First the deeds may be kept by your mortgage company or they may be in the possession of the conveyancers who handled the purchase. Secondly in all probability the property will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors obtaining current official copies of the land registers. The vast majority of conveyancing in Crouch End relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your property is not registered it adds to the complexity but is not insurmountable.

What happens if my lawyer’s firm is removed from the Nottingham Solicitor panel ahead of completing my conveyancing in Crouch End?

First, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have to instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by a regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.

3 months have gone by since my purchase conveyancing in Crouch End completed. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £200,000 when infact I paid £180,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the residence from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 62 years remaining on my flat in Crouch End. I need to get lease extension but my landlord is missing. What should I do?

On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be lengthened by the Court. However, you will be required to prove that you have done all that could be expected to locate the lessor. On the whole a specialist would be useful to carry out a search and prepare a report to be accepted by the court as proof that the landlord can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer both on proving the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Crouch End.

I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord for a lease extension without success. Can a leaseholder make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Crouch End conveyancing firm to help?

in cases where there is a missing landlord or if there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 it is possible to make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to calculate the amount due.

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Crouch End residence is Flat 2A 19 Shepherds Hill in June 2014. The tribunal concluded in accordance with section 48 and schedule 13 of the Leasehold Reform,Housing and Urban Development Act (the 1993 Act) that the premium payable in respect of the grant of a new lease for the Flat be £24,303 (twenty four thousand three hundred and three pounds) This case related to 1 flat. The unexpired term was 67.85 years.

I am purchasing a house with all finances in place. My conveyancer has been supplied with with 2 separate forms of photographic identification, bank statement, endless utility bills. Now he needs a copy from a probate lawyer stating that the money is legitimate and that it has come from inheritance and not selling fake DVD.

In today’s world you will not be able to complete any Crouch End conveyancing transaction without first providing evidence of your identity to your lawyers. This usually takes the form of a either your passport or driving licence and a utility bill. Remember if you are providing your driving licence as evidence of ID it must be both the paper part and photo card part, one is not acceptable without the other. Establishing of your source of funds is required under Money Laundering Regulations.