I have given 2 months notice to my current landlord and must vacate my let out property in West Malling by the end of next month. Conveyancing on my purchase has just started. Is it possible to complete in three weeks as I wish to avoid having to find short term accommodation?

It is unwise to serve notice on a rental unless you have exchanged. Assuming that you have not already done so, update to your lawyer and request that they cajole the sellers solicitors, try to get a realistic time scale from them that all parties will work to achieve

Should our conveyancer be asking questions concerning flooding during the conveyancing in West Malling.

The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for conveyancers dealing with homes in West Malling. Plenty of people will buy a property in West Malling, completely aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical damage, where a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, adequate building insurance, or sell the premises. Steps can be carried out as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.

Solicitors are not best placed to offer advice on flood risk, but there are a number of checks that may be initiated by the purchaser or by their conveyancers which should give them a better understanding of the risks in West Malling. The standard completed inquiry forms given to a buyer’s solicitor (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) incorporates a standard question of the owner to discover whether the property has suffered from flooding. In the event that flooding has previously occurred which is not revealed by the seller, then a purchaser may commence a compensation claim as a result of such an inaccurate answer. A buyer’s lawyers may also commission an enviro report. This will disclose if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, further investigations should be initiated.

I have recentlybeen informed that Wolstenholmes have been shut down. They carried out my conveyancing in West Malling for a purchase of a leasehold flat 18 months ago. How can I establish that my home is not still registered in the name of the previous owner?

The easiest method to see if the premises is in your name, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of West Malling conveyancing specialists.

How does conveyancing in West Malling differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in West Malling contact us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is ready to move into. This is because house builders in West Malling usually purchase the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in West Malling or who has acted in the same development.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. West Malling is the location of the property. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in West Malling are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside West Malling you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in West Malling 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 premises.