I have given 8 weeks notice to my existing landlord and must leave my let out property in Saltdean by 15/1/2026. Conveyancing on my purchase is progressing. How realistic is it to complete in 4 weeks as I wish to avoid having to find short term accommodation?

Generally one should not serve notice for your letting until your lawyer suggests that you should. If you have not previously done so, notify to your solicitor and ask them to they apply pressure on the other lawyers, try to get a realistic time scale from them that all parties will look towards

Do all mortgage companies provide you with an approved list of Saltdean conveyancing solicitors? How do you know who is on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel?

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

The Saltdean conveyancing solicitors that I recently instructed on my house acquisition in Saltdean have suddenly closed. I only went with them because I had to have a solicitor on the Co-operative conveyancing panel and my family Saltdean lawyer was not. I cut them a cheque for £250 in advance. What should be my next steps?

If you have an estate agent involved then inform them immediately so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to the problems encountered. Most sellers would be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You will need to appoint new lawyers that are on the Co-operative conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money, it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new lawyers should be in a position to assist.

A relative informed me that in buying a property in Saltdean there may be a number of restrictions prohibiting external changes to a property. Is this right?

There are anumerous of properties in Saltdean which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to perform external alterations. Part of the conveyancing in Saltdean should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

I am purchasing a terrace house in Saltdean. We would like to an extension at the rear at the property.Will the conveyancing process involve investigations to ascertain if these alterations are permitted?

Your property lawyer should check the registered title as conveyancing in Saltdean can occasionally reveal restrictions in the title documents which prevent categories of alterations or need the permission of a 3rd party. Many additions need local authority planning consent and approval in accordance building regulations. Some locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. You should check these issues with a surveyor before you commit yourself to a purchase.

HSBC have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on a property in Saltdean has been accepted, now what?

The property agent will wish to be informed of your property lawyer's details (ensure that the conveyancers are on the bank’s panel). Call up HSBC or the financial adviser and finish off any outstanding paperwork. HSBC will instruct a valuer who will get in touch with the estate agent or vendor to book an appointment. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes about a week for the mortgage offer to be issued. HSBC will send the offer to you and your property lawyers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Saltdean.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to appointing a Saltdean conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Saltdean conveyancing practice) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you make enquires with several firms including non Saltdean conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions might be of use:

If they are not ALEP accredited then why not? Can they put you in touch with clients in Saltdean who can give a testimonial?

I bought a basement flat in Saltdean, conveyancing having been completed February 2002. How much will my lease extension cost? Corresponding properties in Saltdean with a long lease are worth £201,000. The ground rent is £45 per annum. The lease expires on 21st October 2090

With just 65 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £13,300 and £15,400 as well as legals.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to supply the actual costs without more detailed due diligence. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional issues that need to be considered and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.