My wife and I buying a detached bungalow in Datchet. Our aim is to an extension at the rear at the house.Will the conveyancing process involve investigations to ascertain if these works are permitted?

Your solicitor will check the deeds as conveyancing in Datchet can sometimes reveal restrictions in the title documents which restrict categories of alterations or necessitated the consent of another owner. Certain additions need local authority planning consent and approval in compliance with building regulations. Many areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. You should check these things with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.

How can we tell if a Datchet conveyancing solicitor on the HSBC panel is any good?

When it comes to conveyancing in Datchet seeking recommendations is a good starting point. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always recommend that you speak with the lawyer carrying out your conveyancing.

I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Datchet. I have a mortgage offer with Co-operative. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Co-operative, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Co-operative conveyancing panel.

Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my property can not be found. The solicitors who dealt with the conveyancing in Datchet 10 years ago have long since closed. What are my next steps?

Gone are the days when you need to have the physical deeds to establish that you own the land or property, given that the Land Registry have everything they need in a digital format.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a flat up to £305k and identified one close by in Datchet I like with a park and railway links nearby, however it only has 49 years on the lease. There is not much else in Datchet suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a lease with such few years left?

Should you need a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term may be an issue. Discount the price by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the property for at least twenty four months you can ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this.

I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor for residential conveyancing in Datchet. I have land on a site which seems to have the ideal offering If there is a chance to get all this stuff done via web that would be preferable. Do I need to be wary? What are the potential pitfalls?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Datchet. Conveyancing advisers have are about to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Datchet are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Datchet so you should seriously consider looking for a Datchet conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as obtaining the landlord’sconsent to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is located on an estate. Your solicitor should report to you on the legal implications.

Datchet Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing

Who are the managing agents? In the main the outlay for major works tend not to be built into the maintenance charges, although a few managing agents in Datchet require leasehold owners to pay into a sinking fund created for the specific purpose of establishing a fund for larger works. The best form of lease arrangement is if the freehold interest is owned by the leaseholders. In this situation the lessees have control and notwithstanding that a managing agent is frequently retained where the building is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent retained by the leaseholders.