We are buying a terrace house in Tonbridge. We would like to an extension at the rear at the property.Will legal investigations on the property include checks to see if these works are permitted?

Your conveyancer should check the registered title as conveyancing in Tonbridge will sometimes identify restrictions in the title documents which restrict categories of works or need the consent of a 3rd party. Certain extensions call for local authority planning permissions and approval in accordance building regulations. Some areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or impact extensions. It would be prudent to check these things with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.

I had a mortgage agreed in principle with . Tonbridge conveyancing practitioners were selected. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from ?

There is no definitive answer here. Have done the valuation? Have you informed as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.

I have finally had an offer on an apartment in Tonbridge agreed to, but there is a chain. The owners have offered on on an apartment, however it’s not been accepted yet, and have viewings of other flats in the pipeline. I have instructed a bricks and mortar conveyancing solicitor in Tonbridge. What do I do now? When should I get the mortgage application with going?

It is understandable to have apprehensions where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket too early (home loan application is in the region of £1k, then valuation, Tonbridge conveyancing search costs, etc). First, you must check that your is on the approved list. Regarding the next steps this very much depends on the uniqueness of your transaction, desire for the property and on the state of the market. During a buoyant market the majority of purchasers will apply for the mortgage with and arrange for the valuation and only if it was satisfactory would they request their to proceed with searches.

Various online forums that I have come across warn that are the primary reason for delay in Tonbridge house deals. Is that correct?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released conclusions of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the top 10 causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are not likely to be the root cause of holding up conveyancing in Tonbridge.

I used Stirling Law a few years past for my conveyancing in Tonbridge. Now, I need the documents but the law firm has closed. What do I do?

Do contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate 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 Tonbridge of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously used, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I bought a 1st floor flat in Tonbridge, conveyancing formalities finalised 1995. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Comparable properties in Tonbridge with over 90 years remaining are worth £165,000. The ground rent is £45 per annum. The lease expires on 21st October 50

With only 50 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £36,100 and £41,800 as well as costs.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure without more detailed due diligence. You should not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

What can I do to establish who is the owner of a property in Tonbridge?

As long as the property is recorded at HM Land Registry, and you have enough specifics of the address of the premises, you should be able to obtain details from the HM Land Registry of the recorded owner for a fee.