My friend's sister is a conveyancer. I expect that I'll be able to get mate’s pricing for conveyancing, However if that does not come through, what level of fees would I typically be looking at for conveyancing in Maesteg?

It’s a good idea to look for multiple conveyancing quotes. Do use our comparison tool on this site. The quotes will be different but service levels do differ between solicitors as is the case with most professions.

IfI were to purchase a straightforward homein Maesteg for cash and have no survey and no local authority searches how much could I expect to have to pay for conveyancing in Maesteg?

Any savings you would make would be isolated to the Maesteg conveyancing searches. Your lawyer is obliged to do the vast majority of work - money laundering, communicating with your sellers conveyancing practitioner, stamp duty submission, register the ownership etc. You might save a bit for them not needing to register a mortgage but it will not be a lot.

I purchased a freehold house in Maesteg yet pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Maesteg and has limited impact for conveyancing in Maesteg 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 new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 will be dispensed with completely.

I have justbecome aware that Arc property Solicitors have been shut down. They conducted my conveyancing in Maesteg for a purchase of a freehold house 18 months ago. How can I establish that my home is registered correctly in the name of the former proprietor?

The easiest method to check if the property is registered to you, you can make a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Maesteg conveyancing specialists.

I work for a reputable estate agent office in Maesteg where we see a few leasehold sales put at risk due to short leases. I have been given inconsistent advice from local Maesteg conveyancing solicitors. Could you clarify whether the owner of a flat can commence the lease extension process for the purchaser on completion of the sale?

As long as the seller has owned the lease for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the proposed purchaser need not have to sit tight for 2 years to extend their lease. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed before, or simultaneously with completion of the sale.

An alternative approach is to agree the lease extension with the freeholder either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the purchaser.

I bought a studio flat in Maesteg, conveyancing was carried out June 2009. Can you shed any light on how much the price could be for a 90 year extension to my lease? Equivalent flats in Maesteg with over 90 years remaining are worth £222,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 per annum. The lease terminates on 21st October 2096

With only 70 years remaining on your lease the likely cost is going to be between £9,500 and £11,000 plus professional fees.

The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to advice on the actual costs without more comprehensive investigations. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional concerns that need to be considered and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not take any other action based on this information without first getting professional advice.