I have given 8 weeks notice to my existing landlord and must be out of my rented apartment in Salford by the end of next month. Conveyancing on my purchase is progressing. How realistic is it to complete in six weeks as don't want to have to find temporary accommodation?

It is unwise to provide notice for your tenancy until your lawyer suggests that you should. If you have not previously done so, speak to your conveyancer and request that they cajole the owners lawyers, try to a target completion date that all parties will aim towards

My wife and I are buying a property in Salford. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a conveyancer? At some point we will need to put funds into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our monies?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Salford off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Virgin Money. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Virgin Money, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel.

Nottingham have agreed my mortgage in principle, my bid on a house in Salford has been accepted, what are the next steps?

The property agent will wish to be informed of your property lawyer's details (be sure the conveyancers are on the lender’s panel). Telephone Nottingham or your broker and finish off any outstanding documentation. Nottingham will instruct a valuer who will get in contact with the selling agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes on average a week for the mortgage offer to be issued. Nottingham will issue the offer to you and your property lawyers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Salford.

My colleague suggested that where I am buying in Salford I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

This is a search is sometimes included in the estimate for your Salford conveyancing searches. It is a large report of about 40 pages, listing and detailing significant information about Salford around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information about Salford.

I own a 4 bedroom Victorian house in Salford. Conveyancing lawyer represented me and Aldermore. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw two entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same address. 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 proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Salford 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 enquire as to the situation with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the conveyancing.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build apartment in Salford. 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 is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Salford

The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. Please supply a car parking plan.