Me and my brother purchased a semi-detached Georgian property in Salford. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and National Westminster Bank. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are two entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same property. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?

You should assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Salford and other locations in 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 purchasers. You can also enquire as to the situation with the conveyancing solicitor who conducted the purchase.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a flat up to £235,500 and found one near me in Salford I like with amenity areas and transport links in the vicinity, the downside is that it only has 52 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Salford for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a short lease?

Should you need a home loan that many years will likely be an issue. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you can request that they commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor about this.

I am selling my property. My previous conveyancers closed down. I am in need of a recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in Salford if that affects matters.

You should use our search tool to help you find a solicitor for your conveyancing in Salford. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with lender approved solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs with a minimum of fuss.

I need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Salford for my house move. Is it possible to review a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?

Anyone may read documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from investigations commenced on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find information about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor telephone calls for training requirements.

What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Salford conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Salford conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggest that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Salford conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions could be helpful:

If the firm is not ALEP accredited then what is the reason? What are the legal fees for lease extension conveyancing?

Salford Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Queries before Purchasing

This information is useful as a) areas can cause problems for the block as the communal areas may start to deteriorate if services remain unpaid b) if the leasehold owners have a dispute with the managing agents you will want to know about it It would be a good idea to find out if there are any onerous restrictions in the lease. For instance some leases prohibit pets being allowed in certain buildings in Salford. If you love the flatin Salford however your dog is not allowed to live with you then you have a very difficult choice.