We were just about to sign contracts for a semi detached house in Steyning. We encountered a problem. The mortgage offer with expires on but the vendors are putting forward a completion date of . Is it possible to prolong the mortgage expiry date?

The person best placed to deal with your concern is your lawyer who will calculate whether they corresponding with the lender, owner’s lawyers, property agents or indeed all parties based on the history of your house move to date.

I own a freehold premises in Steyning but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Steyning and has limited impact for conveyancing in Steyning 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 date back hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of new rentcharges post 1977.

Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be extinguished.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Steyning is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?

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

I am hoping to sign contracts shortly on a leasehold property in Steyning. Conveyancing lawyers inform me that they are sending me a report within the next couple of days. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Steyning should include some of the following:

Whether the lease restricts you from letting out the flat, or having a home office for business Repair and maintenance of the property The physical extent of the demise. This could be the flat itself but might include a roof space or cellar if applicable. Do you need to have carpet in the flat or are you allowed wood flooring? Advice concerning the obligations in the lease to pay service charges - in respect of the block, and the wider rights a lessee has

I own a studio flat in Steyning, conveyancing formalities finalised in 1995. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Similar flats in Steyning with an extended lease are worth £165,000. The ground rent is £45 per annum. The lease runs out on 21st October 50

With just 50 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £36,100 and £41,800 as well as professional fees.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be other issues that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

I cannot get to my Steyning conveyancing practitioners office to execute documents for conveyancing in Steyning – is this a problem?

Not a problem. Steyning conveyancing lawyers can deal with home moves for clients who are based anywhere. You are unlikely to be required to meet your lawyer in the flesh at a Steyning conveyancers office. Almost all can deal with everything via phone, post and email - whatever works for you.