Is there a reason why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Fulford costs more?

Fulford leasehold conveyancing transactions usually involve additional investigations than freeholds including investigating the Lease, liaising with the Landlord such as serving relevant notices on the Landlord or managing agent, obtaining up-to-date service charge and management information, obtaining Landlord’s consents and reviewing management accounts and formation documents.

The Fulford conveyancing firm that I appointed last week on my purchase in Fulford have without warning shut down. I only went with them because I needed a firm on the Barclays conveyancing panel and my preferred Fulford lawyer was not. I gave my credit card details for them to take £195 for searches. What are my options?

Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then inform them straight away so that they can let the sellers know that there may be a slight delay due to the problems encountered. Most sellers would be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You should appoint new lawyers that are on the Barclays conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money, it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new lawyers should be in a position to help.

Should our lawyer be raising enquiries regarding flooding during the conveyancing in Fulford.

Flooding is a growing risk for lawyers dealing with homes in Fulford. Some people will purchase a property in Fulford, completely expectant that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical damage, where a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, adequate building insurance, or dispose of the premises. There are steps that can be taken as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.

Conveyancers are not best placed to impart advice on flood risk, but there are a number of checks that may be carried out by the purchaser or by their conveyancers which will figure out the risks in Fulford. The conventional set of property information forms given to a purchaser’s conveyancer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) contains a usual question of the owner to determine whether the premises has suffered from flooding. In the event that flooding has previously occurred and is not notified by the vendor, then a buyer could bring a claim for damages resulting from an misleading response. A buyer’s conveyancers should also carry out an environmental report. This should disclose if there is any known flood risk. If so, additional investigations will need to be conducted.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in last month in what should have been a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Fulford is the location of the property. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Fulford are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Fulford you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds diligently. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Fulford may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.

Back In 2004, I bought a leasehold flat in Fulford. Conveyancing and The Mortgage Works mortgage organised. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1998. The conveyancing practitioner in Fulford who acted for me is not around. Any advice?

First make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. It is not necessary to instruct a Fulford conveyancing firm to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. You should note that in any event, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I own a basement flat in Fulford, conveyancing was carried out October 2006. How much will my lease extension cost? Similar properties in Fulford with over 90 years remaining are worth £260,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 yearly. The lease ceases on 21st October 2100

With just 75 years remaining on your lease we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £8,600 and £9,800 as well as costs.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more comprehensive investigations. You should not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional concerns that need to be taken into account and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.