We are looking to buy a property and require a conveyancing solicitor in Hackney who is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a firm?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Kent Reliance . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Hackney.

In looking at consumer advice sites for a cheap lawyer in Hackney, most say that I should use a CQS assured lawyer. What is CQS?

The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the recognised quality mark for legal experts in the legal transfer of properties, trusted by some of the UK's major banks. Four years ago the Conveyancing Quality Scheme was officially recognised by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The scheme does not cover licenced conveyancers. Hackney is one of the many areas of the UK where there are Accredited solicitors.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build flat in Hackney. Conveyancing is necessary evil 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 conveyancing.

Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Hackney

Please supply evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease.

I decided to have a survey carried out on a house in Hackney ahead of retaining lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor has said that some lenders may not give a loan on this type of house.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different instructions from Halifax. Should you wish to telephone us we can check with the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed 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 will be more expensive.

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my 2 bed apartment in Hackney. Conveyancing is yet to be initiated, however I have just received a yearly maintenance charge invoice – what should I do?

It best that you clear the invoice as normal given that all ground rent and service charges should be allotted 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 until 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. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

I inherited a garden flat in Hackney. In the absence of agreement between myself and the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal make a decision on the premium payable for a lease extension?

Absolutely. We are happy to put you in touch with a Hackney conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement case for a Hackney premises is 150 Amhurst Road in December 2013. The tribunal concluded that the premium to be paid by the applicant for the enfranchisement of the subject property was £43,500. This case was in relation to 4 flats. The unexpired term was 90 (or thereabouts).