I am buying a detached bungalow in Acton. Our aim is to convert the garage to an office at the property.Will the conveyancing process include checks to see if these alterations were previously refused?

Your solicitor should review the registered title as conveyancing in Acton can on occasion reveal restrictions in the title documents which prevent certain works or require the consent of a 3rd party. Some extensions call for local authority planning consent and approval in compliance with building regulations. Many locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or impact extensions. You should check these things with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.

Two weeks ago we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Principality. Acton conveyancing practitioners were selected. How long does it take for Principality to forward the offer to the conveyancing practitioner?

There is no definitive answer here. Have Principality completed the valuation? Have you informed Principality as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Principality conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.

Principality have agreed my home loan in principle, my offer on a apartment in Acton has been accepted, what happens next?

The property agent will want to be advised as to your conveyancing practitioner's details (make sure the conveyancers are on the lender’s approved list). Telephone Principality or the financial adviser and finalise any appropriate forms. Principality will appoint a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or seller to schedule an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about a fortnight for the mortgage offer to be issued. Principality will send the offer to you and your property lawyers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Acton.

Various internet forums that I have frequented warn that are the primary reason for delay in Acton house deals. Is that correct?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) has noted the determinations of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the top 10 causes of delays in the conveyancing process. Local searches are unlikely to be the root cause of holding up conveyancing in Acton.

I am downsizing from my home. My past conveyancers has retired. I am in need of a recommendation of a conveyancing firm. I happen to live in Acton if that makes a difference.

Please use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Acton. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with lender approved solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs smoothly.

There are only 72 years unexpired on my lease in Acton. I need to get lease extension but my freeholder is missing. What should I do?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. You will be obliged to prove that you have done all that could be expected to locate the landlord. On the whole a specialist may be helpful to carry out a search and prepare a report which can be used as evidence that the landlord can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a conveyancer in relation to devolving into the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Acton.

After months of dialogue we are unable to agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Acton. Can we issue an application to the Residential Property Tribunal Service?

in cases where there is a missing landlord or if there is disagreement about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the LVT to decide the price payable.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a Acton flat is 4 Woodhurst Road in July 2013. The Tribunals valuation for the premium to be paid in respect of the collective enfranchisement was £51,050. This case affected 2 flats. The number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 63.75 years.

What can I expect to pay for conveyancing in Acton?

Almost all Acton conveyancing practices will agree to a standard fee. Where additional work becomes necessary during the transaction your conveyancer should inform you in writing of any additional charges for any work immediately it becomes obvious. Some work on a no completion no fee offering, others will levy an bill for a proportion of the agreed fee, calculated based on the stage at which the conveyancing does not proceed.

We would recommend that you ask various practices to give you an estimate.