I have given 2 months notice to my current landlord and have to leave my let out apartment in Northfield by the end of next month. Conveyancing on my purchase has just started. How realistic is it to complete in three weeks as I wish to avoid having to move into short term accommodation?

Generally one should not give notice on a rental unless you have exchanged. If you have not previously done so, notify to your conveyancer and ask them to they seek the assistance the owners side, try to an acceptable time-line that all parties will aim towards

What will a local search reveal concerning the property we're buying in Northfield?

Northfield conveyancing often starts with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search company such as Onsearch The local search plays a central role in most Northfield conveyancing purchase; that is if you don’t want any nasty surprises after you move into your property. The search will provide information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the property (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen subject headings.

How does conveyancing in Northfield differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Northfield approach us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is constructed. This is because new home sellers in Northfield usually buy the land, 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 conveyancers 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Northfield or who has acted in the same development.

Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 68 years unexpired on my lease in Northfield. I need to extend my lease but my landlord is missing. What options are available to me?

On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. You will be obliged to prove that you have done all that could be expected to track down the landlord. In some cases an enquiry agent would be useful to conduct investigations and prepare an expert document to be used as proof that the landlord is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer in relation to investigating the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Northfield.

I am the registered owner of a ground floor flat in Northfield, conveyancing was carried out 9 years ago. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Comparable properties in Northfield with a long lease are worth £201,000. The ground rent is £45 charged once a year. The lease comes to an end on 21st October 2089

You have 64 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to span between £15,200 and £17,600 plus costs.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more detailed investigations. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information before getting professional advice.

I see that you have a search directory listing firms on the lender conveyancing panel. Do Northfield conveyancing companies pay you a referral fee if I retain them for my conveyancing?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the mortgage company conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Northfield.