I have just started taking steps with the intention of switching my current homeowner loan to a BTL Norwich and Peterborough Building Society mortgage. I was told by my mortgage that I need a conveyancer as part of the process. I had a chat my previous Virginia Water conveyancing firm who dealt with the legals when I first purchased the house. The fee estimate they've given of £550 is surprising as I am not require purchase conveyancing - it’s just a straightforward remortgage.

The quote is slightly on the high side. If you shop around you might get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by perhaps £125. On the other hand, providing that you were pleased with the legal work the firm provided you couldcome to rue choosing an an unknown lawyer. Don't forget to be sure the solicitor can also act for Norwich and Peterborough Building Society. Do employ our search tool to locate a Virginia Water conveyancing firm on the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society member panel, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Virginia Water.

My husband and I are purchasing a newly converted apartment in Virginia Water with a mortgage from Godiva Mortgages Ltd.We have a Virginia Water conveyancing lawyer but Godiva Mortgages Ltd informed us he's not on their approved list of member firms. It seems we are left with little choice but to instruct a Godiva Mortgages Ltd panel firm or keep our local solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to act for them. We feel as though this is unjust; Can we not simply insist that Godiva Mortgages Ltd use our lawyer?

No, not really. The mortgage offered to you contains terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will be on the Godiva Mortgages Ltd approved list. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Godiva Mortgages Ltd

Just had an offer accepted on a new build apartment in Virginia Water. 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 legal work.

Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Virginia Water

Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. Please provide evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared.

We're new to the buying process - agreed a price, yet the selling agent advised that the owners will only issue a contract if we instruct the agent's chosen lawyers as they want a ‘quick sale’. My instinct tells me that we should use a local conveyancer used to conveyancing in Virginia Water

It is highly unlikely the vendors are behind this. If they desire ‘a quick sale', alienating a genuine buyer is going to damage their objectives. Try to communicate with the sellers directly and make the point that (a)you are motivated buyers (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances arranged © you are chain free (d) you wish to move quickly (e)however you will continue to appoint your preferred Virginia Water conveyancing solicitors - rather thanthose that will give their estate agent a kickback or achieve conveyancing targets demanded by senior management.

I am tempted by the attractive purchase price for a couple of maisonettes in Virginia Water both have approximately fifty years unexpired on the leases. Will this present a problem?

A lease is a right to use the property for a period of time. As a lease gets shorter the marketability of the lease deteriorates and results in it becoming more expensive to extend the lease. This is why it is often a good idea to increase the term of the lease. More often than not it is difficult to sell a property with a short lease as mortgage companies may be unwilling to lend money on such properties. Lease enfranchisement can be a protracted process. We advise that you get professional help from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this arena.

I bought a garden flat in Virginia Water, conveyancing was carried out January 2000. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Equivalent flats in Virginia Water with over 90 years remaining are worth £195,000. The ground rent is £45 charged once a year. The lease terminates on 21st October 2088

You have 63 years left to run we estimate the price of your lease extension to range between £16,200 and £18,600 plus plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The figure above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to advice on a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed due diligence. You should not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward placing reliance on this information before getting professional advice.