My partner’s step-father is a property lawyer. I hope that I'll be able to get preferential fee for conveyancing, but if not, what kind of figure should I be expecting for conveyancing in Benfleet?

It’s a good idea to look for multiple conveyancing quotes. Do use our search tool on this page. The charges do contrast greatly but service levels do differ between law firms as is true with most professions.

I am buying a new build house in Benfleet benefiting from help to buy. The developers would not budge the amount so I negotiated 6k of additionals instead. The house builders rep told me not reveal to my solicitor about this extras as it will put at risk my loan with the lender. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder 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 am looking for a flat up to £305k and identified one near me in Benfleet I like with open areas and railway links nearby, however it only has 52 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Benfleet for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?

If you need a home loan that many years may be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you could ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer about this.

Am I right to be suspicious that estate agents that I am dealing with are suggesting a national conveyancing firm rather than a High Street Benfleet conveyancing firm?

As with lots of service providers, often recommendations from relatives can be worth their weight in gold. Yet there are lots of players in a conveyancing matter; estate agents, financial adviser and banks may put forward conveyancers to appoint. On occasion these conveyancers might be known to one of the organisations as one of the best in their field, but occasionally there is an underlying financial incentive behind the recommendation. You have the discretion to select your own conveyancer. However, bear in mind that many mortgage providers have an approved list of law firms you must use for the lender related work in your home move.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Benfleet. Conveyancing and Santander mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing practitioner in Benfleet who acted for me is not around. Any advice?

First contact HMLR to make sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. It is not necessary to incur the fees of a Benfleet conveyancing practitioner to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I invested in buying a leasehold flat in Benfleet, conveyancing formalities finalised 3 years ago. Can you let me have an estimated range of the fair premium for a lease extension? Corresponding properties in Benfleet with over 90 years remaining are worth £185,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £65 per annum. The lease expires on 21st October 2086

You have 60 years unexpired the likely cost is going to span between £20,000 and £23,000 plus legals.

The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to provide a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive due diligence. You should not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional concerns that need to be considered and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information before getting professional advice.