I am buying a house for cash in Dunston. I have resided for the previous 20 years in Dunston. Conveyancing searches are expensive. As I know the road and vicinity very well should I not bother getting the solicitor to do all the conveyancing searches?

In the absence of a mortgage, then almost all of the Dunston conveyancing searches are non-obligatory. Your conveyancer will try and steer you, perhaps strongly, that you should have searches carried out, but she is duty bound to take that path of encouragement . One thing to bear in mind; if you are intend to dispose of the house in the future, it may be of importance to your prospective purchaser what the searches determine. On occasion houses with functional issues can still show up unexpected search results. A good conveyancing solicitor in Dunston should provide you some sensible guidance concerning this.

I am considering applying for a Lloyds mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) in Dunston with 60% loan to value. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Lloyds ?

In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the Lloyds conveyancing panel, but Lloyds would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.

I am looking into buying my first house which is in Dunston and I am already nervous. I couldn't find anything specific about Dunston. Conveyancing will be needed in due course but do you know about the Dunston area? or perhaps some other tips you can share?

Rather than looking online forget looking online you should go and have a look at Dunston. In the meantime here are some basic statistics that we found

In my capacity as executor for the will of my uncle I am disposing of a house in Newport but reside in Dunston. My lawyer (who is 250 kilometers from mehas requested that I execute a statutory declaration before completion. Can you recommend a conveyancing lawyer in Dunston to witness and place their company stamp on the document?

strictly speaking you should not need to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily or notary public or solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are located in Dunston

We expect to complete the disposal of our £400,000 maisonette in Dunston next week. The managing agents has quoted £396 for Landlord’s certificate, building insurance schedule and 3 years statements of service charge. Is the landlord entitled to charge exorbitant fees for a leasehold conveyance in Dunston?

Dunston conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes often involves the purchaser’s solicitor submitting enquiries for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to respond to these enquiries the majority will be content to do so. They are entitled to levy a reasonable administration fee for answering enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average fee for the information that you are referring to is £350, in some situations it exceeds £800. The management information fee demanded by the landlord must be sent together with a summary of entitlements and obligations in respect of administration charges, without which the invoice is not strictly payable. Reality however dictates that you have no choice but to pay whatever is requested of you should you wish to sell the property.

I am the registered owner of a leasehold flat in Dunston, conveyancing having been completed 9 years ago. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Equivalent properties in Dunston with an extended lease are worth £202,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £60 invoiced annually. The lease ceases on 21st October 2082

With only 57 years remaining on your lease we estimate the price of your lease extension to range between £28,500 and £33,000 plus costs.

The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to provide the actual costs in the absence of detailed due diligence. You should not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt additional concerns that need to be considered and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.