My partner and I are downsizing from our house in Middlesbrough and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was constructed on contaminated land. Any high street Middlesbrough lawyer would know that there is no such problem. For the life of me I don't know why the buyers used a nationwide conveyancing practice as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Middlesbrough. We have lived in Middlesbrough for six years we know that this is a non issue. Do we contact local Authority to get confirmation that there is no issue.
It would appear that you have a conveyancing firm already. Are they able to advise? You should enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same illness)
I purchased a semi-detached Edwardian house in Middlesbrough. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and . I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold under the exact same address. Is it worth asking to clarify?
You need to read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Middlesbrough and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also question the position with your conveyancing lawyer who carried out the work.
Over the last few months I have been searching for a flat up to £305k and identified one near me in Middlesbrough I like with open areas and station nearby, the downside is that it's only got 52 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Middlesbrough suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a short lease?
Should you require a mortgage that many years may be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current owner has owned the property for a minimum of twenty four months you can ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and pass 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.