In the event thatI were to acquire a simple residential propertyin Gravesend for cash and have no survey and no conveyancing searches how much would I expect to to save on my conveyancing in Gravesend?

The only saving you would make on is the disbursement for searches. A conveyancer still be obliged to do everything else - money laundering, liaising with the vendors property lawyer, SDLT return, register the title etc. You might save a bit for them not needing to register a mortgage but it won't be meaningful.

I purchased a freehold property in Gravesend but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Gravesend and has limited impact for conveyancing in Gravesend 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 establishment of fresh 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 after 2037 will be dispensed with completely.

I am looking for a flat up to £245,000 and found one round the corner in Gravesend I like with a park and railway links in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 52 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Gravesend in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a short lease?

Should you need a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will likely be problematic. Reduce the price 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 could request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor about this.

My husband and I are new to the buying process - had an offer accepted, but the estate agent has warned us that the owners will only issue a contract if we use their preferred conveyancers as they need a ‘quick sale’. We would rather use a local conveyancer accustomed to conveyancing in Gravesend

We suspect that the owner is unaware of this request. If they desire ‘a quick sale', alienating a motivated purchaser is is going to put the whole deal at risk. Speak to the vendors direct and explain that (a)you are genuine purchasers (b)you are ready to go, with finances in place © you are unencumbered (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you will continue to use your preferred Gravesend conveyancing lawyers - not the ones that will provide the estate agent a commission or hit his conveyancing thresholds set by HQ.

I am buying a leasehold maisonette in Gravesend. Conveyancing estimates are averaging around £1800. Does that seem right?

The average fee in 2014 for conveyancing in Gravesend was just under one thousand five hundred pounds excluding Stamp Duty and Land Registry charges.