IfI was to purchase a straightforward housein Southwater mortgage fee and have no survey and no conveyancing searches how much could I expect to to save on my conveyancing in Southwater?

The only saving you would achieve is the Southwater conveyancing searches. Your conveyancing practitioner is obliged to do the vast majority of work - money laundering, liaising with your vendors lawyer, SDLT submission, register the ownership etc. You might save a bit for them not needing to register a mortgage however it won't be significant.

I am the registered owner of a freehold premises in Southwater but nevertheless invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Southwater and has limited impact for conveyancing in Southwater but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be extinguished.

I am considering applying for a Skipton mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) in Southwater with 70% LTV. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Skipton ?

In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the Skipton conveyancing panel, but Skipton would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build apartment in Southwater. Conveyancing is necessary evil 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.

Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Southwater

Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? 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. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified.

Back In 2008, I bought a leasehold flat in Southwater. Conveyancing and Birmingham Midshires mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1993. The conveyancing practitioner in Southwater who acted for me is not around. Do I pay?

First make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that this person is in fact the new freeholder. It is not necessary to instruct a Southwater conveyancing solicitor to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for less than a fiver. You should note that in any event, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I bought a basement flat in Southwater, conveyancing formalities finalised in 1995. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Corresponding flats in Southwater with a long lease are worth £185,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £65 levied per year. The lease terminates on 21st October 2085

With only 60 years unexpired the likely cost is going to be between £20,000 and £23,000 as well as costs.

The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to provide the actual costs without more comprehensive due diligence. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional issues that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.