We went with a Topsham based solicitor for our conveyancing in Topsham last week. Looking through the Terms and Conditions I notewe are on the hook for costs even if our purchase aborts. Should I ditch them and select an internet lawyer who offer no move no charge conveyancing in Topsham?

Generally there is a concession along the lines that if "No Sale No Fee" is offered then the conveyancing charges will tend to be be higher to offset the transactions that do not proceed. Please beware that such arrangements tend not to protect you from expenditure such as Topsham conveyancing search costs.

I am assisting my sister sell her property in Topsham. Will the conveyancer arrange an EPC or do I organise this?

Following the abolition of Home Information Packs, EPC’s became a compulsory element of moving property. An energy performance certificate should be to hand in advance of the property being advertised. It is not as aspect of the sale process that lawyers ordinarily organise. If you are using a Topsham conveyancing lawyer they might help arrange energy performance certificates given their contacts with reputable Topsham assessors

I am purchasing a 3 bedroom semi in Topsham. The intention is to carry out a loft conversion at the property.Will legal work on the property involve checks to determine if these works are permitted?

Your solicitor should review the registered title as conveyancing in Topsham will occasionally identify restrictions in the title deeds which prohibit categories of alterations or necessitated the consent of a 3rd party. Some extensions call for local authority planning permissions and approval in compliance with building regulations. Certain locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or impact extensions. You should check these issues with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.

I am expecting a AIP from Bank of Ireland this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Bank of Ireland recommend any Topsham solicitors on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer?

You will need to appoint Topsham solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Bank of Ireland through the process.

I have been on the look out for a flat up to £235,500 and found one close by in Topsham I like with amenity areas and transport links nearby, however it's only got 51 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Topsham in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a lease with such few years left?

If you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term will likely be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the property for at least twenty four months you may request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer about this.

As co-executor for the will of my uncle I am disposing of a property in Monmouth but reside in Topsham. My solicitor (approximately 260 kilometers awayneeds me to execute a statutory declaration ahead of the transaction finalising. Could you suggest a conveyancing solicitor in Topsham to attest this legal document for me?

strictly speaking you should not need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily any notary public or solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are Topsham based

I've recently bought a leasehold property in Topsham. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?

Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Topsham Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

Does the lease include onerous restrictions? Is the freehold owned collectively by the leaseholders? Does the lease have in excess of 80 years unexpired?