We are purchasing a 3 bedroom flat in Greenwich with a mortgage. We like our Greenwich solicitor, but the lender says she’s not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the lender panel firms or retain our Greenwich as well as pay for one of their panel ones to act for them. We consider that this is inequitable; is there anything we can do?

Unfortunately,no. Your mortgage offer is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your Greenwich conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Greenwich?

Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Greenwich. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

I am a sole trader planning to lease a unit on a shopping parade. Can you recommend solicitors offering competitive fees for non-domestic conveyancing in Greenwich for below £2000?

We are happy to recommend firms who have an in-depth of experience of commercial conveyancing in Greenwich, including the sale and purchase of businesses as well as simply property. Whether you are intending to acquire or lease a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail unit or a whole business we can find you the right lawyer. As for the charges this will depend on the structure and complexity of the proposed transaction. Please provide us with your details or phone us so that we may furnish you with comprehensive commercial conveyancing calculation.

I have just started marketing my garden flat in Greenwich. Conveyancing has not commenced, however I have just received a half-yearly service charge invoice – Do I pay up?

It best that you pay the service charge as normal because all ground rent and service invoices should be apportioned on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

I acquired a 1st floor flat in Greenwich, conveyancing formalities finalised 3 years ago. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Similar flats in Greenwich with over 90 years remaining are worth £165,000. The ground rent is £45 levied per year. The lease runs out on 21st October 50

With just 50 years remaining on your lease we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £36,100 and £41,800 plus legals.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to advice on a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive due diligence. You should not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be taken into account and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward based on this information without first getting professional advice.

I see that you have a search directory identifying firms on the bank conveyancing panel. Do Greenwich conveyancing companies pay you a commission if I retain them for my own house purchase?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the mortgage company conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Greenwich.