We're in Hatton, First timers buying with a mortgage (lender is , and our lawyer is on the conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

Is it necessary to take out insurance to protect me from financial exposure to chancel repairs when acquiring a house in Hatton?

Unless a previous acquisition of the house took place after 12 October 2013 you could assume that solicitors conducting conveyancing in Hatton to remain recommending a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

I purchased a renovated Edwardian house in Hatton. Conveyancing lawyer acted for me and . I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same address. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Hatton and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also enquire as to the situation with your conveyancing lawyer who conducted the purchase.

I have been on the look out for a flat up to £195,000 and found one round the corner in Hatton I like with amenity areas and transport links in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 49 years on the lease. There is not much else in Hatton in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a lease with such few years left?

If you require a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be problematic. Discount the price by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for at least twenty four months you can request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this.

I pay a service charge for my flat in Hatton. Due to losing my job and personal issues I fell behind with payments. The managing agents agreed a clearance plan but there remains two outstanding as of today.

I now wish to sell and I am concerned this may hold me back if I have to pay off the arrears in advance. Do I have to settle before - is this viable?

You should clarify with the conducting your Hatton conveyancing but one option may be to arrange for the debt to be attributed to the purchasers. The sale price payable would be adjusted to reflect the amount of debt they take on. They would then discharge the arrears after completion of the purchase.