AssumingI was to purchase a straightforward homein Newmarket for cash and dispense with a survey and no conveyancing searches how much could I expect to have to pay for conveyancing in Newmarket?

Any savings you would make would be isolated to the disbursement for searches. The property lawyer still got to do everything else - money laundering, correspond with the sellers conveyancing practitioner, SDLT submission, register the ownership etc. A marginal saving might be made by not needing to register a mortgage but it won't be a lot.

How does conveyancing in Newmarket differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Newmarket approach us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is built. This is because builders in Newmarket typically purchase the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Newmarket or who has acted in the same development.

I am a sole trader hoping to take an assignment of a lease of a shop on the high street. Can you recommend solicitors offering no-sale-no costs for commercial conveyancing in Newmarket for less than 2k?

We are happy to recommend firms who host a wealth of experience of commercial conveyancing in Newmarket, including the disposal and acquisition of businesses as well as simply premises. If you are looking to buy or lease a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail premises or a complete business we can put you in touch with the right firm. Regarding the fees these will vary based on the structure and terms of the deal. Please provide us with your contact information or call so as to enable us to provide you with a detailed commercial conveyancing calculation.

I am a negotiator for a busy estate agency in Newmarket where we see a few flat sales put at risk due to leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have received contradictory information from local Newmarket conveyancing solicitors. Please can you clarify whether the vendor of a flat can instigate the lease extension formalities for the buyer?

Provided that 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 wait 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed before, or at the same time as completion of the disposal of the property.

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.

Newmarket Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries before Purchasing

Generally speaking the cost for major works tend not to be included within maintenance charges, although a few managing agents in Newmarket ask leasehold owners to contribute towards a reserve fund created for the specific purpose of establishing a fund for larger repairs or maintenance. It is important to be aware whether changing the roof or some other significant cost is due shortly that will be shared between the tenants and could well materially increase the the maintenance charges or result in a one time invoice. Make sure you investigate if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. For instance it is fairly common in Newmarket leases that pets are not allowed in certain buildings in Newmarket. If you like the flatin Newmarket but your cat can’t move with you then you will be presented with a difficult determination.

A conveyancing firm dealt with my conveyancing in Newmarket half a dozen years ago and was holding my title documents but has now closed – What steps do I now take to retreive them?

Title deeds, as such, are no longer appropriate for the majority of properties in Newmarket are registered digitally at Land Registry. If you need to show ownership or are disposing of or refinancing your solicitor will need to obtain up to date copies of the register from the Land Registry in any case.

If you feel there may be other documents or you have any other queries please e-mail your request with details of the transaction and documents you need to filerequest@clc-uk.org. The CLC will let you know what information they have and any additional information they may need before they are in a position to identify and send the documents to you. Following an intervention it may take some time for the CLC to access archived files and documents, but your request will be actioned as quickly as possible.