I am not in a position to travel far from West Haddon. Can you please clarify why all West Haddon are not on all mortgage company panels?

As inequitable as it may seem for lenders to limit who can act for them, from the public’s or lawyer’s point of view, the other side of the coin is that lending institutions are becoming ever more anxious and feel it crucial to protect them against illegal activities. As a consequence of this concern mortgage companies are limiting their conveyancing panel to a manageable size.

I purchased a freehold property in West Haddon but nevertheless pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in West Haddon and has limited impact for conveyancing in West Haddon 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 have existed for hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of fresh rentcharges post 1977.

Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 will be extinguished.

I had intended to instruct a conveyancing solicitor in West Haddon for our house purchase. Our broker has since advised us that our mortgage lenders won't deal with them. Surely this is unfair competition?

A mortgage company may require an approved solicitor act for it. You would be liable to meet the cost of this. Try using our directory service to select a solicitor to carry conveyancing in West Haddon on the conveyancing panel.

A relative advised me that where I am purchasing in West Haddon I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

This is a search is usually included in the estimate for your West Haddon conveyancing searches. It is a large document of about 40 pages, listing and setting out significant information about West Haddon around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime details, Local Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data concerning West Haddon.

I have just started marketing my 2 bed apartment in West Haddon. Conveyancing is yet to be initiated, however I have recently had a half-yearly maintenance charge invoice – Do I pay up?

It best that you discharge the maintenance contribution as normal given that all rents and service payments will be allotted on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless 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 acquired a leasehold flat in West Haddon, conveyancing having been completed half a dozen years ago. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Corresponding flats in West Haddon with over 90 years remaining are worth £165,000. The ground rent is £45 levied per year. The lease finishes on 21st October 50

With only 50 years left to run the likely cost is going to range between £36,100 and £41,800 plus legals.

The suggested premium range above 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 the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional issues that need to be taken into account and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not take any other action based on this information without first getting professional advice.