We were just about to exchange contracts for a leasehold flat in Harwell. We have hit a stumbling block. The loan offer with National Westminster Bank runs out on 11/11/2025 but the vendors are putting forward a completion date of 13/11/2025. Is it possible to prolong the loan offer?

The best person to deal with your question is your solicitors who will calculate if he or she is corresponding with the mortgage company, seller’s solicitors, estate agents or indeed all parties taking into account the circumstances your house move to date.

We are planning to move home in December. Will my conveyancing solicitor communicate with the removal company on the day of completion. Incidentally, can you put forward a removal company in Harwell. Conveyancing firm was organised before I stumbled across this page.

On the day of completion you can pick up the house keys from the property agent but this can only happen when the vendors lawyers inform the agent that the monies to complete are in and the keys can be passed over. Subsequently you should advise the removal men that you are ready to move in. As a matter of policy we do not recommend a particular removal company but can help you find a conveyancing in Harwell or a lawyer with expertise in conveyancing in Harwell.

Can you help - my lawyer advises that lack of right of way insurance is needed on my purchase. What is the level of cover for Harwell conveyancing?

The right level of lack of right of way indemnity insurance should be dictated by who who your lender is. It would differ for example between Nationwide Building Society and Norwich and Peterborough Building Society. Conveyancing lawyers as opposed to members of the public take out such policies.

After much negotiation I have agreed a price on an apartment in Harwell. My financial adviser recommended their conveyancers. I paid an upfront payment of £175. Soon after, the property lawyer called me sheepishly admitting that they were not on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?

You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the Kent Reliance panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.

I decided to have a survey completed on a property in Harwell prior to instructing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. Our surveyor advised that some banks will not give a loan on a flying freehold property.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different requirements for example to Halifax. Should you wish to telephone us we can check with the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Harwell. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

My husband and I are novice buyers - had an offer accepted, but the selling agent told us that the owners will only move forward if we appoint the agent's chosen conveyancers as they need an ‘expedited deal’. We would rather use a local solicitor who is familiar with conveyancing in Harwell

We suspect that the owner is unaware of this demand. Should the vendor desire ‘a quick sale', alienating a motivated purchaser is is going to put the whole deal at risk. Contact the owners directly and make sure they comprehend that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances arranged © you are unencumbered (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you will continue to appoint your own,trusted Harwell conveyancing lawyers - rather thanthose that will earn the negotiator at the agency a commission or hit his conveyancing targets demanded by corporate headquarters.

What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Harwell conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a conveyancer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Harwell conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggest that you speak with several firms including non Harwell conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions could be useful:

How many lease extensions has the firm completed in Harwell in the last 12 months? If they are not ALEP accredited then why not?

Harwell Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Queries before Purchasing

For most Harwell leaseholds the cost for major works tend not to be wrapped into the maintenance charges, albeit that a few managing agents in Harwell require leaseholders to pay into a reserve fund created for the specific intention of building a fund for major works. Does the lease contain onerous restrictions? It is important to be aware if a new roof is being installed or some other significant cost is due shortly that will be shared between the tenants and may well dramatically impact the level of the maintenance charges or result in a specific invoice.