We are selling our property in Wick and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a possibility that the property was built land that was not decontaminated. Any high street Wick conveyancer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the purchasers instructed a web based conveyancing firm as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Wick. Having lived in Wick for six years we know that this is a non issue. Do we contact our local Authority to obtain confirmation that the buyers are looking for.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing solicitor currently acting for you. What do they say? You must check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same ailment)

Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my home are lost. The conveyancers who conducted the conveyancing in Wick 4 years ago no longer exist. What are my options?

Gone are the days when you need to hold title original deeds to establish that you own the land or premises, given that the Land Registry have everything they need in a digital format.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a ground for flat up to £235,500 and identified one close by in Wick I like with amenity areas and station nearby, however it only has 49 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Wick suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a short lease?

If you require a home loan the shortness of the lease may be problematic. Reduce the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for a minimum of twenty four months you may request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor about this.

I am looking to sell my home. My past solicitors closed down. I would be grateful for any recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in Wick if that affects matters.

You should use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Wick. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with regulated solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs with a minimum of fuss.

Last June I purchased a leasehold property in Wick. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Wick Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

How is the lease structured? It is important to be aware whether window replacement or some other major work is due in the foreseeable future to be shared amongst the leasehold owners and could well materially increase the the service costs or result in a one time payment. In the main the outlay for major works are not included within maintenance charges, although there some managing agents in Wick ask leasehold owners to pay into a reserve fund created for the specific purpose of building a fund for larger repairs or maintenance.