Finally the sale completed on my house in Washington last May yet the purchaser is SMS messaging daily to say his solicitor is waiting to hear from myconveyancer. What are the post completion sale formalities following completion?

After completion of your house sale your solicitor should send the transfer deeds and all of the paperwork to the purchaser's conveyancer. Where relevant, your conveyancer must also send confirmation that the legal charge in favour of the lender has been paid off to the buyers lawyers. There is unlikely to be post completion procedures peculiar conveyancing in Washington.

I'm at the point of viewing apartments in Washington and I am about to put in an offer. Is it wise to have a solicitor on ‘stand by’? I intend to finance via a home loan with Leeds Building Society.

You should start requesting conveyancing estimates from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their details on to the EA. Given that you are taking out a mortgage with Leeds Building Society, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel.

I can not work out if my lender requires a lease extension. I have telephoned my Washington bank branch on a couple of occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they will lend. My Washington conveyancing solicitor - who is on the mortgage company conveyancing panel- called to say that they refuse to lend in accordance with their published requirements. Who do I believe?

The property lawyer must comply with the CML Handbook Part 2 provisions for your lender. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the mortgage company will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the lender to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years remaining.

Aldermore have agreed my home loan in principle, my offer on a house in Washington has been accepted, now what?

The property agent will wish to be advised as to your solicitor's details (make sure the lawyers are on the bank’s panel). Telephone Aldermore or the broker and finish off any appropriate forms. Aldermore will instruct a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or owners to arrange an appointment. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a week for the mortgage offer to be issued. Aldermore will issue the offer to you and your lawyers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Washington.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a property I have offered on two weeks back in what was supposed to be a quick, no chain conveyancing. Washington is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Washington are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Washington you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds thoroughly. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Washington may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.

I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor for some conveyancing in Washington. I've discover a site which appears to be the ideal offering If there is a chance to get all the legals completed via phone that would be ideal. Do I need to be concerned? What are the potential pitfalls?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

I have just appointed agents to market my basement flat in Washington. Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon, but I have recently received a yearly maintenance charge demand – Do I pay up?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should pay the maintenance contribution as usual because all rents and service payments should be apportioned as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

I purchased a 2 bed flat in Washington, conveyancing having been completed in 2003. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Similar properties in Washington with over 90 years remaining are worth £211,000. The ground rent is £45 per annum. The lease finishes on 21st October 2092

You have 67 years remaining on your lease the likely cost is going to range between £10,500 and £12,000 plus costs.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs in the absence of comprehensive investigations. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.