Do lenders provide you with an approved list of Otford conveyancing solicitors? How do you know who is on the HSBC conveyancing panel?

Otford conveyancing firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the HSBC conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from HSBC directly.

I have been told that property searches are a common cause of delay in Otford conveyancing transactions. Is there any truth in this?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published conclusions of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature within the most frequent causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are not likely to feature in any slowing down conveyancing in Otford.

Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Otford before appointing lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. The surveyor has said that some lenders tend not give a mortgage on a flying freehold home.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different requirements from Halifax. If you call us we can investigate further via the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Otford. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Otford to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.

I need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Otford for my house move. Is there any facility to check a firm’s complaints history with the legal regulator?

You may search for documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors history, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator could monitor telephone calls for training reasons.

Expecting to sign contracts shortly on a basement flat in Otford. Conveyancing solicitors have said that they report fully on Monday. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Otford should include some of the following:

What remedies are open the freeholder should you have violated the provisions of the lease? The landlord’s rights to access the premises. You should be made aware that your landlord has rights of access as well as be informed how much notice must be provided. You would want to be sent a copy of the lease You need to be advised what counts as a Nuisance as far as the lease is concerned Details of the parties to the lease, e.g. these could be the lessee, superior lessor, freeholder

I acquired a garden flat in Otford, conveyancing having been completed in 2000. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Similar properties in Otford with over 90 years remaining are worth £180,000. The ground rent is £65 yearly. The lease ends on 21st October 2084

With only 59 years remaining on your lease we estimate the price of your lease extension to be between £20,900 and £24,200 as well as costs.

The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed due diligence. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional concerns that need to be taken into account and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not take any other action based on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.