We decided to go with a local lawyer for our conveyancing in Downe today. Reviewing the Terms I noteI am on the hook for charges even where the conveyance does not complete. Should I go with them or appoint an on-line conveyancing brokerage promising no-sale-no-fee conveyancing in Downe?

Generally there is a concession along the lines that if "No Completion No Fee" is advertised then the fee levels will tend to be be higher to cover the transactions that fail to complete. You should be mindful that these schemes tend not to cover expenditure for instance Downe conveyancing search charges.

Is it necessary to pay for insurance to protect me from financial exposure to chancel repairs when acquiring a residence in Downe?

Unless a prior acquisition of the house took place post 12 October 2013 you could expect solicitors handling conveyancing in Downe to continue to suggest a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.

I purchased my apartment on 5 June and my personal details are still not on the land registry website. Need I be worried? My conveyancing solicitor in Downe advises it would be registered in less than a month. Are properties in Downe uniquely lengthy to register?

As far as conveyancing in Downe registration is no faster or slower than anywhere else in the country. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timescales can vary subject to who lodges the application, whether there are errors and if the Land registry communicate with any 3rd persons or bodies. At present in the region of three quarters of such applications are fully addressed within 12 days but occasionally there can be extensive delays. Historically registration takes place once the buyer has moved in to the premises thus an expedited registration is not usually primary concern but where there is a degree of urgency associated with the registration then you or your conveyancer should speak with the land registry and explain the circumstances.

What advice can you give us when it comes to choosing a Downe conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a conveyancer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Downe conveyancing firm) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you talk with two or three firms including non Downe conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions might be of use:

Can they put you in touch with clients in Downe who can give a testimonial? What are the costs for lease extension work?

I own a ground-floor 1950’s flat in Downe. In the absence of agreement between myself and the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the premium due for the purchase of the freehold?

in cases where there is a missing landlord or where there is disagreement about what the lease extension should cost, under the relevant statutes it is possible to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to assess the price.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a Downe premises is 1 Southlands Court Southlands Road in September 2013. The Leasehold Valuation Tribunal determined that the premium to be paid by the tenant on the grant of a new lease, in accordance with section 56 and Schedule 13 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 was £30,541 This case related to 1 flat. The unexpired term as at the valuation date was 50.57 years.

I yesterday found out that one of the partners of the conveyancing practice acting on the purchase conveyancing in Downe is a relative of the owners that we are purchasing from. Is this acceptable?

As long as there is no conflict of interest this is permitted. If you are requiring mortgage finance then the mortgage company may have a say as many banks have specific instructions concerning this. For example for Virgin as of 10/7/2025, the requirements read as follows :