We are buying a flat in Waterbeach. I might seem paranoid but how we can trust a lawyer? On the day of competition we will need to send money into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our deposit?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

If you had a top tip for selecting a conveyancing solicitor in Waterbeach what would it be?

We would encourage you not to go for the lowest Waterbeach conveyancing fees. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

I have paid off my mortgage with Aldermore. I assume I don't need a Waterbeach conveyancer on the Aldermore panel to discharge the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?

If you have finished paying off your Aldermore mortgage, they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Aldermore mortgage from the register. Aldermore, and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:

1. but are not moving to another property
2. where Aldermore has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
3. Aldermore has instructed the Land Registry to do so

I appreciate that there are debates on Chancel Insurance on online forums. Am I compelled to have this when purchasing a property in Waterbeach? or I am told that there is a law dating back centuries that could mean that house owners residing in a parish church boundary may be liable to pay for repairs towards the chancel in proximity to the church. Is this applicable for conveyancing in Waterbeach?

Unless a previous purchase of the premises took place after 12 October 2013 you can take it that conveyancing practitioners handling conveyancing in Waterbeach to remain encouraging a chancel search and or chancel repair liability insurance.

Just bought a semi-detached house in Waterbeach , What is the estimated time for the Land Registry to register the transfer to my name? My Waterbeach conveyancing solicitor has been painfully slow, so I want to check the registration formalities are dealt with.

There is nothing unique about conveyancing in Waterbeach registration formalities. Rather than based on location, timeframes can adjust according to who lodges the application, whether there are errors and if the Land registry communicate with any 3rd parties. At present roughly 80% of submission are fully dealt with within two weeks but occasionally there can be protracted hold-ups. Historically registration is effected once the buyer has moved in to the property thus 'speed' is not typically primary concern yet where there is a degree of urgency associated with the registration then you or your conveyancer could contact the land registry and explain the circumstances.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on two weeks back in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Waterbeach is where the house is located. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Waterbeach are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Waterbeach you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Waterbeach may decide 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.

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

When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Waterbeach conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Waterbeach conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions could be of use:

Can they put you in touch with clients in Waterbeach who can give a testimonial?

I purchased a studio flat in Waterbeach, conveyancing was carried out in 2005. How much will my lease extension cost? Similar properties in Waterbeach with an extended lease are worth £186,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £55 levied per year. The lease ceases on 21st October 2077

With just 52 years unexpired the likely cost is going to span between £29,500 and £34,000 as well as professional fees.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to provide the actual costs in the absence of detailed due diligence. You should not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional issues that need to be taken into account and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.