My partner’s mother is a property lawyer. I am hopeful that I can be offered friends and family fee for conveyancing, but if not, what kind of figure would I typically be looking at for conveyancing in Downe?
It’s a good idea to get 3 or more like-for-like conveyancing quotes. Make use of our comparison tool on this site. Whilst charges may be different but service levels do differ between solicitors as is the case with the vast majority of professional services.
We were just about to sign contracts for a leasehold flat in Downe. We encountered a stumbling block. Our mortgage offer with Chelsea Building Society runs out on 13/7/2026 but the sellers are insisting on a completion date of 15/7/2026. Is it possible to prolong the mortgage offer?
The best person to address this concern is your conveyancer who will hopefully determine whether they should be discussing with the mortgage broker, vendor’s representatives, selling agents or indeed all three given the history of your transaction to date.
Does a directory service exist listing Aldermore panel solicitors in Downe on the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Website?
Unfortunately not yet. There is no such facility on the CML or Building Society Association sites. A small selection of banks make their panel listings visible online. Where you are in need of a Downe conveyancing practitioner on the Aldermore please make the most of our tool.
I've digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Downe solicitor - who is on the Skipton conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Skipton will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Skipton will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your conveyancer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Downe postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Skipton, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Downe.
Nottingham have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on a property in Downe has been accepted, what are the next steps?
Your property agent will need to be advised as to your property lawyer's details (ensure that the conveyancing practitioners are on the bank’s approved list). Contact Nottingham or the broker and finalise any relevant forms. Nottingham will instruct a valuer who will get in touch with the estate agent or vendor to book a slot for the valuation to occur. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes on average a fortnight to receive the mortgage offer. Nottingham will issue the offer to you and your solicitors. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Downe.
I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and found one close by in Downe I like with amenity areas and station nearby, the downside is that it only has 52 years on the lease. There is not much else in Downe suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a lease with such few years left?
Should you require a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will likely be an issue. Reduce the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for at least twenty four months you may request that they start the process of the extension and then assign 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 concerning this.
Hoping to buy a property located in Downe and I am already nervous. I couldn't find anything specific about Downe. Conveyancing will be needed in due course but do you know about the Downe area? or perhaps some other tips you can share?
Rather than looking online forget looking online you should go and have a look at Downe. In the meantime here are some basic statistics that we found
I want to rent out my leasehold apartment in Downe. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Is permission from the freeholder required?
Some leases for properties in Downe do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord is not entitled to unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience suggests that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting consent.
I own a basement flat in Downe. In the absence of agreement between myself and the landlord, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal make a decision on the amount payable for the purchase of the freehold?
if there is a missing landlord or if there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 it is possible to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to calculate the price payable.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Downe flat is 1 Southlands Court Southlands Road in September 2013. The Leasehold Valuation Tribunal determined that the premium to be paid by the tenant on the grant of a new lease, in accordance with section 56 and Schedule 13 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 was £30,541 This case affected 1 flat. The unexpired term was 50.57 years.