I am need of leasehold conveyancing for a flat in a relatively new development (five years old) in Hounslow. The vast majority the flats are already occupied. Is it strictly necessary to order conveyancing searches as part of conveyancing in Hounslow?

Where you are obtaining a loan, your lender will require some (many) of the searches so you'll have no choice. If not, then Hounslow conveyancing searches are for you to decide upon. Your solicitor, will 'advise', perhaps in the strongest possible terms, that you should not go ahead without searches, but he or she is duty bound in this regard. One thing to bear in mind; if you are likely to sell the house one day, it may be of interest to your future buyer what the searches contain. Sometimes houses with no practical issues can still throw up adverse search results. But if you demand that your lawyer to proceed without searches then your lawyer will have to follow your instructions or you will need to swap to an alternative solicitor for your conveyancing in Hounslow.

After looking at mumsnet.com for a high-quality solicitor in Hounslow, most say that I should look for a CQS kitemarked solicitor. Can you explain what CQS is?

The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the recognised kitemark for legal experts in the legal transfer of properties, trusted by some of the UK's major banks. In 2011-12 the Conveyancing Quality Scheme was officially recognised by the Legal Ombudsman. CQS is not a scheme offered by the Society for Licensed Conveyancers. Hounslow is one of the numerous areas of the UK where there are Accredited lawyers.

I am intent on selling our house in Hounslow and according to the buyers it appears that there is a risk of it being constructed land that was not decontaminated. Any high street Hounslow lawyer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the buyers instructed a national conveyancing outfit rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Hounslow. We have lived in Hounslow for 5 years we know of no issue. Should we contact our local Authority to get clarification that the buyers are looking for.

It would appear that you have a conveyancing solicitor already. What do they say? You need to enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same illness)

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build apartment in Hounslow. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build conveyancing.

Set out below is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Hounslow

Please supply a car parking plan. 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. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Please provide evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry.

I am tempted by the attractive purchase price for a couple of maisonettes in Hounslow both have about 50 years remaining on the lease term. should I be concerned?

A lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the property for a prescribed time frame. As a lease gets shorter the saleability of the lease deteriorates and results in it becoming more expensive to acquire a lease extension. For this reason it is generally wise to increase the term of the lease. Sometimes it is difficult to sell a property with a short lease because mortgage companies may be reluctant to lend money on properties of this type. Lease enfranchisement can be a protracted process. We recommend you get professional assistance from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this field.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Hounslow - A selection of Questions you should consider Prior to buying

Does the lease include onerous restrictions? How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments? In the main the cost for major works are not included within maintenance charges, albeit that there some managing agents in Hounslow obliged leaseholders to pay into a reserve fund created for the specific intention of building a fund for larger repairs or maintenance.