My bank has recommended solicitors on their panel based in Kent but I would rather choose a conveyancing lawyer in Kent round the corner to me. Can you help?

Far from all Kent conveyancing practitioners are approved and listed on all lender’s conveyancing panel. Use our find an approved solicitor tool to locate a Kent conveyancing firm on the on the mortgage company panel.

Should commercial conveyancing searches reveal planned roadworks that could impact a commercial estate in Kent?

Many commercial conveyancing solicitors in Kent will execute a SiteSolutions Highways report as it dramatically cuts the time that conveyancers invest in sourcing accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Kent. The search result sets out definitive data on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Kent.

For each commercial conveyancing transaction in Kent it is crucial to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. Failure to identify developments where adoption procedures have not been dealt with adequately can result in delays to Kent commercial conveyancing transactions as well as present a risk to future intentions for the site. These searches are not ordered for residential conveyancing in Kent.

What tools are available to identify a Kent law firm on the TSB conveyancing panel? I have a car and am willing to travel upto 25miles to meet the conveyancer.

Feel free to make use of the search on this website. Please pick a bank and your location and you will see a number of Kent conveyancing lawyers locally. We have detailed some Kent conveyancing firms at the bottom of this page and you can contact them to see if they are on the TSB member panel

I am using a search engine for the words on line conveyancing in Kent it reveals many conveyancersin the vicinity. With so much choice what is the best way to find the suitable conveyancer for me?

The ideal method of seeking a suitable conveyancer is via personal testimonial, so ask friends and relatives who have purchased a property in Kent or the local estate agent or mortgage broker. Fees for conveyancing in Kent vary, so it's sensible to secure at least three estimates from different solicitors. Make sure that you clarify that the charges are assured not to escalate.

I am looking at a two apartments in Kent which have about 50 years left on the lease term. Should I regard a short lease as a deal breaker?

There is no doubt about it. A leasehold apartment in Kent is a deteriorating asset as a result of the shortening lease. The nearer the lease gets to its expiry date, the more it reduces the salability of the premises. For most buyers and lenders, leases with under eighty years become less and less marketable. On a more upbeat note, leaseholders can extend their leases by serving a Section 42 Notice. One stipulation is that they must have owned the premises for two years (unlike a Section 13 notice for purchasing the freehold, when leaseholders can participate from day one of ownership). When successful, they will have the right to an extension of 90 years to the current term and ground rent is effectively reduced to zero. Before moving forward with a purchase of a residence with a short lease term remaining you should talk to a solicitor specialising in lease extensions and leasehold enfranchisement. We are are happy to put you in touch with Kent conveyancing experts who will explain the options available to you during an initial telephone conversation free of charge. More often than not it is possible to negotiate informally with the freeholder to extend the lease. They may agree to a smaller lump sum and an increase in the ground rent, but to shorter extension terms in return. You need to ensure that any new terms represent good long-term value compared with the standard benefits of the Section 42 Notice and that onerous clauses are not inserted into any redrafting of the lease.

I invested in buying a ground floor flat in Kent, conveyancing formalities finalised May 1995. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Equivalent flats in Kent with over 90 years remaining are worth £201,000. The ground rent is £45 per annum. The lease runs out on 21st October 2090

With 64 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £14,300 and £16,400 as well as plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more comprehensive due diligence. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.