I am hoping to move into my new home in Catford next Tuesday. My property lawyer now wants me to supply her with proof of content and building insurance for the property as as she informs me that she is duty bound to validate that it is in order for the mortgage company. What does the insurance need to cover?

Any lawyer on acting for lenders would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s Part 2 instructions. These obligations are not specific to conveyancing in Catford.

Is there a reason why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Catford costs more?

Catford leasehold conveyancing transactions usually involve additional investigations than freeholds including investigating the Lease, liaising with the Landlord such as serving applicable notices on the Landlord or managing agent, obtaining up-to-date service charge and management information, obtaining Landlord’s consents and reviewing management accounts and formation documents.

My husband and I are new to the buying process - had an offer accepted, yet the agent informed us that the owners will only proceed if we use the agent's preferred solicitors as they need an ‘expedited deal’. Our preferred option is to instruct a family conveyancer who is accustomed to conveyancing in Catford

It is unlikely the sellers are driving this. Should the seller desire ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a genuine buyer is going to damage their objectives. Speak to the owners direct and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to progress, with mortgage lined up © you are chain free (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)but you are going to use your preferred Catford conveyancing lawyers - not the ones that will provide their negotiator at the agency a referral fee or hit his conveyancing thresholds set by senior management.

I have just appointed agents to market my basement apartment in Catford. Conveyancing is yet to be initiated, but I have just received a half-yearly maintenance charge invoice – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

The sensible thing to do is discharge the invoice as you normally would because all rents and service charges will be apportioned as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

I am the registered owner of a second floor flat in Catford. In the absence of agreement between myself and the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal make a decision on the premium due for the purchase of the freehold?

in cases where there is a missing freeholder or if there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to decide the price.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement case for a Catford property is 44 Elmer Road in January 2013. The Tribunal dacied that amount to be paid by the Leaseholders for the Landlords freehold reversion was £12,951 as at the valuation date (20" September 2012).This matter was referred back to the Bromley County Court to deal with costs, fees and any other outstanding matters. This case related to 2 flats. The unexpired residue of the current lease was 74.25 years.

How do I find the right lawyer for my conveyancing in Catford ?

Option 1 is to ask the people you trust who they used in the past and if they were happy with the service. Option 2 is to use a search tool on the internet for conveyancing in Catford. Phone two or three from the list and ask them to email you their conveyancing estimate and speak to the lawyer who will handle your conveyancing before you commit. Third is to use this site to assist you in finding the right solicitors for you based on your unique factors including location,speed, complexity and who the proposed mortgage company is.Avoid the trap of appointing lowest cost conveyancing solicitors in Catford