I used Arc property Solicitors a few years past for my conveyancing in Petersham. I now require my file however the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?

Do call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Petersham of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I am purchasing a new build house in Petersham with the aid of help to buy. The builders refused to budge the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of additionals instead. The house builders rep advised me not to tell my conveyancer about the deal as it would jeopardize my mortgage with the bank. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

I have been on the look out for a flat up to £245,000 and identified one round the corner in Petersham I like with open areas and station in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 49 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Petersham for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?

If you require a mortgage that many years may be an issue. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the premises for at least 2 years you can ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor concerning this matter.

I have been recommended by numerous estate agents in Petersham to choose a property lawyer using your seach tool. Is there a financial advantage for Estate Agents to market your lawyers ahead of alternative conveyancing organisations?

We don’t offer any referral fee for sending work in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission because home movers will think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Petersham - Sample of Questions you should consider Prior to buying

Is the freehold reversion owned collectively by the leaseholders? Please note if it is less than 80 years it will affect the value of the flat. It is worth checking with your mortgage company that they are content with remaining years on the lease. Leases with fewer than 80 years remaining means that you will probably require a lease extension sooner rather than later and you need to have some idea of what this will be. Remember, in most cases you will be be obliged to have been the owner of the property for 24 months before you are entitled to carry out a lease extension.