We went with a Hackney based firm for our conveyancing in Hackney yesterday. After carefully reading the Ts and Cs I noteI am on the hook for charges even where the conveyance does not complete. Should I go with them or appoint an internet conveyancing company offering no-sale-no-fee conveyancing in Hackney?

Generally there is a compromise along the lines that if "No Sale No Fee" is advertised then the fee levels will tend to be be more expensive to neutralise those conveyances that abort. Please beware that these schemes generally do not protect you from expenditure for instance Hackney conveyancing search expenses.

My brother and I have lately purchased a house in Hackney. We have since encountered a number of issues with the property which we suspect were overlooked in the conveyancing searches. What action can we take? Can you clarify the type of searches that needed to have been ordered as part of conveyancing in Hackney?

The query is not clear as what problems have arisen and if they are relate to conveyancing in Hackney. Conveyancing searches and due diligence initiated during the legal transfer of property are carried out to help avoid problems. As part of the process, a seller answers a questionnaire referred to as a SPIF. If the information turns out to be misleading, you may have a misrepresentation claim against the seller for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Hackney.

Finally the sale completed on my house in Hackney last February yet the purchaser is e-mailing daily to say his lawyer is waiting to hear from myconveyancer. What are the post completion sale formalities following completion?

After completion of your disposal your conveyancer should forward the transfer documentation and all supplemental paperwork to the purchaser's solicitors. Depending on the transaction, your conveyancer must also confirm that the legal charge in favour of the lender has been discharged to the purchasers lawyers. There is unlikely to be post completion formalities peculiar conveyancing in Hackney.

I decided to have a survey done on a house in Hackney before appointing conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. My surveyor advised that some mortgage companies will refuse to issue a loan on a flying freehold home.

It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different requirements for example to Halifax. If you call us we can look into this further via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Hackney. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Hackney to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that seems to be perfect, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have just discovered that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns buying a house with a leasehold title in Hackney. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Hackney ?

The majority of houses in Hackney are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are buying in Hackney in which case you should be shopping around for a Hackney conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions for example obtaining the landlord’sconsent to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the estate where the property is part of an estate. Your conveyancer will report to you on the legal implications.

I am the registered owner of a 2 bed flat in Hackney, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. How much will my lease extension cost? Equivalent flats in Hackney with over 90 years remaining are worth £165,000. The ground rent is £45 levied per year. The lease finishes on 21st October 50

With 50 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £36,100 and £41,800 as well as costs.

The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be other concerns that need to be taken into account and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action placing reliance on this information before getting professional advice.