Conveyancing in Keston BR2

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Conveyancing Solicitors with a vast knowledge of Keston BR2, in the London Borough of Bromley…

For conveyancing services in Keston BR2, Ola Leslie Solicitors offer the following:

Reasonable and Affordable Fixed Fees
Discounted Fees for First Time Buyers
Discounted Fees for Shared Ownership Purchasers
Discounted Fees for Right to Buy Purchasers
Knowledge and experience of the area

As conveyancing solicitors with experience of dealing with properties in Keston some consistent issues have been identified which we look for when you are purchasing a property. We are also able to provide insight to buyers’ solicitors when you are selling your property. The following are examples:

Are there any Conservation Areas in Keston?

Conservation area designations are not just restricted to buildings and houses. Open spaces, cemeteries, a historic street pattern or a local centre can have just as much architectural or historic importance.

There are many designated conservation areas in Keston and when we submit your Local Authority search such areas will be revealed to see if your property falls within one.

Listed Buildings in Keston

Listed buildings are buildings of special architectural or historic interest and the character and appearance of them are preserved.

Once listed, a property has special protection under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the Local Authority has additional powers of protection. Extra responsibilities are also imposed on owners, for example any proposals involving the demolition of the building or alterations or extensions likely to affect its special historic interest will require Listed Building Consent. It is an offence to carry out works to a listed building without this type of consent.

If you are unsure as to whether the property that you are purchasing is listed then the results of your Local Authority search will reveal as to whether or not it is.

If you are selling or remortgaging a listed building, we have the knowledge and expertise to know as to which documents the buyers (and their mortgage lender) or your new lender will need if you have made any alterations to your property.

Smoke Control Orders in The Borough of Bromley

Some boroughs are subject to a Smoke Control Order (this is governed under the Clean Air Act 1956) which makes it an offence to emit smoke from a chimney arising from the burning of an unauthorised fuel.

Again, the results of your Local Authority search from Bromley Council will reveal as to whether or not the property that you are purchasing is subject to such an Order. If so, we would advise you further on this matter at the time.

Chancel Repair Liability in Keston

In specific areas throughout the country members of a parish may be called upon by the local Church to contribute a sum of money to the upkeep and/or repair of the local Chancel. The liability does not just affect residential houses and apartments, it can also affect commercial property and land.

Whilst the possibility of churches demanding money towards its upkeep is small, it is still a possibility.

Chancel repair liability searches are one of the recommended searches that we will carry out for you. If it is found that a liability exists indemnity insurance policies are available to protect you from being liable to such contributions; we will advise you further during the course of your transaction if this is necessary.

We do not charge administration fees to take indemnity policies out for you as some other firms do as it would be incidental to your transaction! Only the premium of the policy (which would be a disbursement) would be payable.

Some areas in Keston are not subjected to this liability however that does not mean that all of it and the surrounding areas such as Bromley BR1, Beckenham BR3, Downham, Sundridge etc won’t be.

For more information on chancel repair liability, please visit our page on Chancel Repair FAQ’s

Tree Preservation Orders in Keston

What is a Tree Preservation Order?

Tree Preservation Orders prevent you from being able to damage, cut or destruct the trees within a certain area, without the council’s consent. This is so that a tree or a group of trees can be protected to uphold an area’s amenities. Local Planning Authorities (LPA’s) grant these orders to prohibit the following works from being carried out on trees:

Cutting down
Uprooting
Topping
Lopping
Wilful damage
Wilful destruction

Without the Local Authority’s consent an offence will be committed and if found guilty in the Magistrates Court, one can be fined up to £20,000. In serious cases a person may be committed for trial in the Crown Court and if convicted, is liable to an unlimited fine. A replacement tree may also need to be planted.

Applications to carry out works on a tree that is subject to a Tree Preservation Order must be made in writing on the appropriate forms and sent to the Local Authority. We are also planning law solicitors so if you require assistance with making this type of application please contact us.

Whilst the existence of trees subject to Tree Preservation Orders will always be an important material consideration when development proposals for a site are under consideration, it does not automatically follow that all protected trees will be considered untouchable.

If you are purchasing a property that has a tree on the land which is subject to a Tree Preservation Order we will be able to advise you further on the matter. The results of your Local Authority search which is one of our recommended searches will reveal as to whether or not such Order exists on the land.

Tree Preservation Orders in Keston do exist but it does not mean that all trees there are protected.

If you are selling a property and it is found that you have fallen foul of a tree preservation order, as planning law specialists we can assist you with any problems that you may face.

Flood Risk in Keston

An environmental search is one of our recommended searches that we submit for you and it will reveal if there is a flood risk, amongst other things such as site history, industrial land etc. If a flood risk is apparent we shall advise you to obtain a full flood report. Not all of Keston may be prone to a risk but we have identified thus far that some parts are.

Flood search reports contain data from the Environment Agency and include detailed information on flooding. The reports provide information on the likely number of times that land could flood, for example once in 100 years, once in 200 years or once in 1000 years. Flood reports however are not historical but are calculated on various statistics that calculate the risks. The reports provide the following:

A clear risk assessment relating to different flood types
Insurability information and assessment
Mapping of different flood risks including:
River
Coastal
Surface water
Ground water
An indication of whether or not the property has flooded in the past

It is recommended to obtain a detailed flood report to determine exact statistics and the foreseeability of different types of flooding which could take place. If you obtain exact details you would then be able to relay the information onto your buildings insurance provider (if freehold) to ensure that they are still willing to insure the property. Freeholders with block buildings insurance policies on apartment blocks should be responsible for giving any related information to the insurance company.

Please call us on 0207 183 0084 or email us on property@olaleslie.com for a fixed fee conveyancing quotation and to ask us about any reservations or queries that you may have; we are always happy to assist.

We are Residential & Commercial Conveyancing Specialists !