Will our conveyancer be raising enquiries about flooding as part of the conveyancing in Hedge End and Botley.

The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for lawyers conducting conveyancing in Hedge End and Botley. Some people will buy a property in Hedge End and Botley, completely expectant that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, aside from the physical destruction, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, suitable insurance cover, or sell the premises. There are steps that can be taken as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.

Conveyancers are not best placed to give advice on flood risk, however there are a number of searches that may be initiated by the purchaser or on a buyer’s behalf which can figure out the risks in Hedge End and Botley. The standard information supplied to a buyer’s solicitor (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) incorporates a standard question of the owner to find out if the property has suffered from flooding. If flooding has previously occurred which is not revealed by the seller, then a buyer could issue a legal claim for losses resulting from an inaccurate response. A purchaser’s conveyancers will also commission an environmental search. This will higlight if there is any known flood risk. If so, more detailed inquiries should be conducted.

The deeds to our property can not be found. The lawyers who conducted the conveyancing in Hedge End and Botley years ago have long since closed. What are my options?

In today’s world there are copies made of almost everything, and your conveyancer should know precisely where to find all the relevant paperwork so you may buy or dispose of your house without any difficulty. Where copies are not available, your conveyancer may be able to put in place insurance or indemnities protecting you against possible claims on your property.

I opted to have a survey carried out on a property in Hedge End and Botley before appointing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. The surveyor advised that some lenders may refuse to issue a mortgage on a flying freehold property.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different instructions from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to telephone us we can check with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Hedge End and Botley. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Hedge End and Botley especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Hedge End and Botley.

My husband and I are novice buyers - had an offer accepted, but the agent advised that the seller will only proceed if we use their chosen lawyers as they are insisting on an ‘expedited deal’. My instinct tells me that we should use a family conveyancer with experience of conveyancing in Hedge End and Botley

We suspect that the seller is not behind this request. If they want ‘a quick sale', turning down a serious purchaser is is going to put the whole deal at risk. Avoid the agents and go straight to the sellers and explain that (a)you are genuine purchasers (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances arranged © you are chain free (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)but you intend to use your preferred Hedge End and Botley conveyancing lawyers - not the ones that will give their negotiator at the agency a referral fee or hit his conveyancing figures set by HQ.

I am looking at a two flats in Hedge End and Botley which have approximately fifty years left on the leases. Do I need to be concerned?

There are plenty of short leases in Hedge End and Botley. The lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the property for a prescribed time frame. As a lease shortens the marketability of the lease deteriorates and it becomes more expensive to extend the lease. For this reason it is advisable to extend the lease term. Sometimes it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease because mortgage companies may be unwilling to lend money on properties of this type. Lease enfranchisement can be a protracted process. We advise that you get professional help from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this field.

I inherited a 1st floor flat in Hedge End and Botley, conveyancing having been completed half a dozen years ago. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Equivalent properties in Hedge End and Botley with over 90 years remaining are worth £165,000. The ground rent is £45 levied per year. The lease expires on 21st October 50

With only 50 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to be between £36,100 and £41,800 as well as legals.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to provide the actual costs in the absence of comprehensive investigations. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other issues 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.