We were just about to sign contracts for a leasehold flat in Dursley. We have hit a stumbling block. Our mortgage offer with Birmingham Midshires runs out on 11/2/2026 but the vendors are suggesting a completion date of 13/2/2026. Is it possible to prolong the mortgage expiry date?

The person best placed to address this concern is your lawyer who should determine if he or she is corresponding with the lender, vendor’s solicitors, property agents or conceivably all parties given the history of your conveyancing as of today.

I need some fast conveyancing in Dursley as I have an ultimatum to complete within 3 weeks. A mortgage is not required. Is it possible to decline from having conveyancing searches to save money and time?

As you are not getting a mortgage you have the choice not to do searches although no conveyancer would suggest that you don't. Drawing on years of experience of conveyancing in Dursley the following are instances of what can be revealed and therefore impact market value: Enforcement Notices, Overdue Fees, Overdue Grants, Unadopted Roads,...

I am buying a new build apartment in Dursley. 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 legal work.

Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Dursley

Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided.

My husband and I are novice buyers - had an offer accepted, but the property agent advised that the owners will only issue a contract if we use their recommended solicitors as they need an ‘expedited deal’. Our preferred option is to instruct a family solicitor with experience of conveyancing in Dursley

It is unlikely the owners are driving this. If they desire ‘a quick sale', turning down a motivated buyer is likely to cause more damage than good. Speak to the vendors direct and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to progress, with mortgage lined up © you do not need to sell (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)but you will continue to instruct your preferred Dursley conveyancing firm - rather thanthose that will give the negotiator at the agency a introducer fee or meet his conveyancing targets set by senior management.

Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Dursley from the point of view of speeding up the sale process?

• Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Dursley can be avoided where you appoint lawyers the minute you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers’ representatives.
If you have the benefit of shareholding in the freehold, you should make sure that you are holding the original share certificate. Organising a new share certificate can be a lengthy formality and frustrates many a Dursley home move. If a reissued share certificate is required, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (where relevant) for this at the earliest opportunity. You may think that you are aware of the number of years left on your lease but it would be wise to double-check via your solicitors. A buyer’s lawyer will not be happy to advise their client to to exchange contracts if the lease term is less than 80 years. In the circumstances it is essential at an early stage that you consider whether the lease term for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your premises on the market for sale. If you have carried out any alterations to the property would they have required Landlord’s consent? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? Dursley leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or installing wooden flooring necessitate a licence from the Landlord consenting to such works. Should you fail to have the approvals to hand do not contact the landlord without checking with your solicitor in advance. Some Dursley leases require Landlord’s consent to the sale and approval of the buyers. If this is the case, it would be prudent to place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers obtain financial (bank) and professional references. Any bank reference should make it clear that the buyer is financially capable of paying the yearly service charge and the actual amount of the service charge should be quoted in the bank’s letter. You will therefore need to provide your estate agents with the actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their solicitors.

I own a split level flat in Dursley, conveyancing having been completed 10 years ago. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Comparable properties in Dursley with a long lease are worth £221,000. The ground rent is £50 invoiced annually. The lease runs out on 21st October 2095

You have 70 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to span between £9,500 and £11,000 as well as plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other concerns that need to be taken into account and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.