I am in a contract race with another prospective purchaser for a property in Hendon. What can be done to quicken up the conveyancing process?

Where the seller is applying pressure for your conveyancing it is highly recommended that your conveyancer is familiar with the location as they will have local connections and insight. It is possible that they would have transacted otherproperties in the same road. You would be best advised to use a Hendon conveyancing lawyer. Second, double check that the lawyer is on the member panel. It is believed that nearly one in five of Hendon conveyancing deals are frustrated or jeopardised after discovering a purchaser’s lawyer was not on their banks list of approved solicitors. In many cases this discovery resulted in the transaction being frustrated by as much as three weeks. It is claimed that this issue impacts in the region of 100,000 home moves every year. Many Hendon conveyancing practices can not act for certain lenders so do check as early as possible.

I am the registered owner of a freehold residence in Hendon but still invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Hendon and has limited impact for conveyancing in Hendon but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges have existed for hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and found one round the corner in Hendon I like with a park and transport links nearby, however it only has 51 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Hendon suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?

Should you need a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term may be an issue. Discount the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you may ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.

I was pointed in your direction by two or three local estate agents in Hendon to locate a property lawyer using your seach tool. What’s the financial advantage for Estate Agents to offer your site ahead of another?

We refuse to make any commission for sending work our way. We found it would be just too difficult a fee because members of the public would think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.

My conveyancing in Hendon is set to complete this Friday, however the people I am purchasing off wishes to vacate the next day at midday. Should I accept this?

Where you require a mortgage then your solicitor will demand that the property isvacant on Friday - the mortgage company will insist on it.