I own a 4 bedroom Edwardian house in Langley. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Clydesdale. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold under the matching property. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Langley and other areas of 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 mortgage companies. You can also check the situation with your conveyancing solicitor who conducted the conveyancing.

How does conveyancing in Langley differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Langley come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is constructed. This is because house builders in Langley usually acquire the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Langley or who has acted in the same development.

My cousin has suggested that I appoint his conveyancing solicitors in Langley. Should I find my own solicitor?

There are no two ways about it the ideal way to select a conveyancing practitioner is to have recommendations from friends or family who have used the solicitor you're contemplating using.

Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Langley. Before I get started I want to be sure as to the remaining lease term.

Assuming the lease is registered - and almost all are in Langley - then the leasehold title will always include the basic details of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title. For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.

I own a second floor flat in Langley. Given that I can not reach agreement with the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the sum due for a lease extension?

Most definitely. We can put you in touch with a Langley conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement decision for a Langley residence is 164 Nestles Avenue in October 2013. The tribunal agreed with the proposed price of £20,158 for the freehold and determined that that sum is the amount to be paid into court This case related to 2 flats. The unexpired term was 69 years.

Been searching for a conveyancer for freehold sale conveyancing in Langley. We are selling, simple no mortgage to redeem, no hurry, no onward chain. Received a quote from a solicitor for £1000 including VAT which is a little steep given that its so straightforward. Is it possible to find less expensive fees for conveyancing in Langley?

As it’s a sale only, £450 + VAT is likely to be about the lowest for sale conveyancing in Langley.