When reviewing online forums for an online lawyer in Deal, most advise that I should use a CQS assured lawyer. What is CQS?

The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) provides a recognised quality standard for residential conveyancing practices issued by the Law Society. Membership achievement establishes a level of credibility for member firms with stakeholders (regulators, lenders, insurers and consumers) based upon: * the integrity of the senior responsible officer and other key conveyancing staff * the firm's adherence to good practice management standards * adherence to prudent and efficient conveyancing procedures via the scheme protocol Membership includes numerous companies who conduct conveyancing in Deal.

I am downsizing from our house in Deal and according to the buyers it appears that there is a risk of it being constructed on contaminated land. A high street Deal conveyancer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the purchasers used an online conveyancing outfit as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Deal. We have lived in Deal for six years we know of no issue. Is it a good idea to contact our local Authority to get confirmation that there is no issue.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing solicitor already. What do they say? You need to 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 ailment)

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a property I put an offer in last month in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Deal is where the house is located. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Deal are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Deal you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Deal may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.

What does commercial conveyancing in Deal cover?

Non domestic conveyancing in Deal incorporates a broad range of guidance, supplied by regulated solicitors, relating to business premises. By way of example, this type of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more usually, the assignment of existing leases or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial mortgages and the termination of leases.

I am looking at a couple of apartments in Deal which have about 50 years left on the lease term. Will this present a problem?

A lease is a right to use the property for a period of time. As a lease gets shorter the marketability of the lease reduces and it becomes more expensive to acquire a lease extension. This is why it is generally wise to increase the term of the lease. Sometimes it is difficult to sell a property with a short lease because mortgage companies less inclined to grant a loan on properties of this type. Lease extension can be a protracted process. We recommend you get professional assistance from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this area.

I acquired a basement flat in Deal, conveyancing was carried out 5 years ago. Can you let me have an estimated range of the fair premium for a lease extension? Similar properties in Deal with a long lease are worth £196,000. The ground rent is £45 levied per year. The lease ceases on 21st October 2090

With only 64 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £15,200 and £17,600 as well as plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs without more comprehensive investigations. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt additional concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward based on this information without first getting professional advice.