We're in Gunnersbury, FTBs buying with a mortgage (lender is , and our solicitor is on the conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

I own a 4 bedroom Victorian property in Gunnersbury. Conveyancing solicitor acted for me and . I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold under the exact same property. Is it worth asking to clarify?

You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Gunnersbury and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also question the situation with your conveyancing solicitor who conducted the conveyancing.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in two weeks back in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Gunnersbury is where the house is located. Can you offer any opinion?

Flying freeholds in Gunnersbury are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Gunnersbury you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Gunnersbury 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.

Taking into account that I am about to part with £400,000 on a house in Gunnersbury I wish to have a conversation with the conveyancer about mytransaction before giving the go ahead to the firm. Can this be arranged?

This is something that we encourage - it is our preference to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you speaking to the solicitor who will be conducting your property ownership legalities in Gunnersbury.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is unique individual, not a file reference. The practices that we put you in touch with believe that the fees you are quoted for your conveyancing in Gunnersbury should be the amount on the final invoice that you end up paying.

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that seems to be perfect, at a great figure which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently discovered that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Gunnersbury. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Gunnersbury are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Gunnersbury so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Gunnersbury conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions such as obtaining the freeholder’spermission to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your lawyer should advise you fully on all the issues.

Gunnersbury Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Queries before Purchasing

Does the lease include onerous restrictions? For many Gunnersbury leaseholds the cost for major works are not wrapped into the service charges, albeit that some managing agents in Gunnersbury require leasehold owners to pay into a reserve fund created for the specific purpose of establishing a fund for major works. It would be a good idea to enquire if the the lease contains any onerous restrictions in the lease. By way of example it is fairly common in Gunnersbury leases that pets are not allowed in certain buildings in Gunnersbury. If you love the apartmentin Gunnersbury but your dog can’t make the move with you then you will be faced difficult decision.