Recently been in touch with my conveyancing lawyer in Acton who conducted the legals two years ago requesting a conveyancing costs illustration based on an identical type of house move (a leasehold premises and a freehold property) of similar values with a home loan from Skipton Building Society. It looks as though am now being charged twice the amount. Am I right to be tempted to shop around for a cheaper internet conveyancer?
The costs illustration is slightly on the steep side. If you are willing to invest time scrutinising costs you may be able to get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by perhaps £125. That being said, providing that you were pleased with the conveyancing the firm gave you mightlive to regret choosing an a cheaper conveyancer. Remember to ensure the firm can act for Skipton Building Society. You can make use of our search tool to get a quote a Acton conveyancing firm on the Skipton Building Society member panel, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Acton.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Acton. My lender is Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 31/10/2026, the requirements read as follows :
When it comes to lenders such as Nationwide, do Acton lawyers incur a fee to be on the conveyancing panel?
We are not aware of any bank fees to register on their panel, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.
I can not work out if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension. I have called into my local Acton building society branch on various occasions and was advised it wasn't an issue and they would lend. My Acton conveyancing solicitor - who is on the mortgage company conveyancing panel- called to say that they refuse to lend in accordance with their UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook minimum lease term requirements. Who do I believe?
The property lawyer must comply with the CML Handbook Part 2 requirements for your bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the lender will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the lender to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years remaining.
I recently had an offer agreed on an apartment in Acton. My mortgage broker pressured me to appoint their conveyancing practitioner. I paid an upfront payment of £225. Not long after, the solicitor contacted me embarrassingly acknowledging that they were not on the Co-operative conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?
You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the Co-operative panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.
I opted to have a survey carried out on a property in Acton prior to retaining solicitors. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. Our surveyor advised that some lenders will not issue a mortgage on a flying freehold premises.
It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different requirements for example to Nationwide. If you call us we can investigate further via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Acton. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
I have been pointed in your direction by numerous estate agents in Acton to choose a solicitor on your site. Is there a financial upside for Estate Agents to offer your services over and above alternative conveyancing organisations?
We don’t make any financial incentive for sending work to this site. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission because home movers will think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.
There are only 72 years remaining on my lease in Acton. I am keen to get lease extension but my freeholder is absent. What options are available to me?
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 an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be lengthened by the magistrate. You will be obliged to prove that you or your lawyers have made all reasonable attempts to track down the freeholder. On the whole a specialist would be helpful to try and locate and to produce an expert document which can be accepted by the court as evidence that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer both on proving the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing Acton.
We have reached the end of our tether in seeking a lease extension in Acton. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?
in cases where there is a missing landlord or if there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant legislation you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to assess the price.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a Acton property 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 unexpired term was 63.75 years.