The housing market in Isleworth is hotting up. What can I do to quicken up the legal process?

In a situation where you are under pressure to sign contracts it is advisable to make sure that your solicitor is familiar with the area as they will benefit local connections and knowledge. It is possible that they may have handled previoushouses in the same neighbourhood. You would be best advised to use a Isleworth conveyancing solicitor. In addition, double check that the conveyancing firm is on the lender panel. It is claimed that 18% of Isleworth conveyancing deals are delayed or jeopardised after discovering a purchaser’s lawyer was not on their mortgage lender’s list of approved solicitors. This can often result in the legal transfer of property being held up by almost three weeks. It is claimed that this issue affects in the region of 100,000 home sales every year. Most Isleworth conveyancing practices can not represent certain mortgage companies so do check as early as possible.

I am purchasing a right to buy a flat in Isleworth. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?

Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Isleworth you will have to appoint a solicitor on your lender's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Isleworth.

I purchased a renovated Georgian house in Isleworth. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Barnsley Building Society. 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 under the exact same address. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??

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 Isleworth and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also enquire as to the situation with your conveyancing lawyer who conducted the work.

Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Isleworth in advance of appointing conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. My surveyor advised that some mortgage companies will not give a loan on such a house.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Santander has different instructions for example to Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can investigate further via the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Isleworth. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Isleworth to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

We own a leasehold flat in Isleworth. Conveyancing was finalised in 2010. I have heard that I mustn’t let the lease length get too short. Is this correct?

Isleworth leasehold properties are for a fixed term - usually ninety nine years when they started. However a significant appartments in Isleworth were built or converted 30 or more years ago and so these leases now have under eighty years unexpired. That may seem like a long time but Banks, Building Societies and other mortgage institutions tend to require leases to have a minimum of seventy five years remaining to adequate security. This means that when you come to sell the property you will need to extend the term of your lease if you are approaching seventy five years. To maximise your property value you should be considering whether to extend your lease well in advance of selling the property. Furthermore strong financial reasons to taking action before the lease hits 80 years as when the lease is below eighty years the amount you have to pay to extend starts to get a lot more expensive.