We are close to exchanging contracts on the sale of our house in Paddington and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a risk of it being constructed on contaminated land. Any high street Paddington conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. For the life of me I don't know why the purchasers used a factory type conveyancing outfit as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Paddington. We have lived in Paddington for six years we know that this is a non issue. Should we contact our local Authority to get clarification that there is no issue.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm currently acting for you. What do they say? You should check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same sickness)

Have purchased a a detached house in Paddington , What is the estimated time for the Land Registry to deal with the formalities evidencing my ownership? My Paddington conveyancing solicitor works at snail pace, so I want to be certain the registration is dealt with.

There is nothing unique about conveyancing in Paddington registration formalities. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timescales can adjust subject to the party submitting the application, whether there are errors and whether the Land registry need to notify any interested parties. Currently approximately 80% of submission are fully addressed in less than three weeks but some can be subject to protracted delays. Historically registration takes place after the purchaser is living at the property therefore an expedited registration is not typically top priority but if it is urgent that the the registration takes place urgently then you or your conveyancer can communicate with the Registry to express the reasoning for an expedited registration.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build apartment in Paddington. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Set out below are examples of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Paddington

Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose? Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared.

My partner has suggested that I use his conveyancers in Paddington. Should I use them?

No doubt the ideal way to find a conveyancing practitioner is to get feedback from friends or family who have experience in using the firm you're considering.

Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Paddington. Before I set the wheels in motion I want to be sure as to the remaining lease term.

Assuming the lease is recorded at the land registry - and most are in Paddington - 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 have given up trying to purchase the freehold in Paddington. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

Most certainly. We can put you in touch with a Paddington conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a Paddington premises is Flats 37 & 39 88/90 Portland Place in December 2010. The Tribunal determined that the premium payable for the lease extensions in respect of these two flats is as follows:- For Flat 37, the sum of £385,230.00 For Flat 39, the sum of £436,780.00 This case related to 2 flats. The unexpired term was 24.02 years.