My wife and I are purchasing residence in Battersea. My lawyer is not listed on the lender approved panel. Is it possible for me to retain my Battersea conveyancing solicitor even though they are excluded from the mortgage company panel?
One will need to appoint a conveyancing practitioner to complete the legal work required if you take out a loan to purchase your home. The solicitor will carry out all the appropriate due diligence on the property, ensuring that you’re registered as proprietor and ensure that all the required mortgage documentation is dealt with. You may appoint a Battersea solicitor of your choosing. However, where the property lawyer selected is not on the mortgage company approved list additional charges will be incurred as separate legal representation will be need by the bank. Conveyancing panel applications may be submitted, so provided your conveyancer has not in the past applied for membership they should do so.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Battersea. My lender is Platform
Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 10/10/2026, the requirements read as follows :
My wife and I are downsizing from our home in Battersea and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was constructed on contaminated land. Any high street Battersea conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. For the life of me I don't know why the purchasers are using a factory type conveyancing practice rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Battersea. We have lived in Battersea for 5 years we know that this is a non issue. Is it a good idea to contact our local Authority to obtain confirmation need.
It would appear that you have a conveyancing firm currently acting for you. Are they able to advise? You should check with 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 life insurance to cover that same sickness)
I opted to have a survey done on a house in Battersea ahead of retaining solicitors. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. My surveyor advised that some mortgage companies tend refuse to give a loan on such a home.
It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different requirements from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can check via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Battersea. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Battersea to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.
Should I be wary by brokers that I am dealing with are encouraging me to use a web based conveyancing firm as opposed to a local Battersea conveyancing firm?
As is the case with many professional services, often referrals from relatives can be very helpful. Yet there are many players in a conveyancing transaction; estate agents, financial adviser and mortgage companies may put forward solicitors to select. Sometimes the solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but occasionally there may be a commercial relationship behind the recommendation. You have the right to appoint your own lawyer. Don't forget that some mortgage providers specify a panel list of conveyancers you must use for the mortgage related work in your transaction.
I would like to sublet my leasehold apartment in Battersea. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Do I need to ask my freeholder for their consent?
A lease governs the relationship between the freeholder and you the leaseholder; specifically, it will indicate if subletting is banned, or permitted but only subject to certain conditions. The rule is that if the lease contains no expres ban or restriction, subletting is permitted. Most leases in Battersea do not contain an absolute prevention of subletting – such a clause would undoubtedly devalue the property. In most cases there is simply a requirement that the owner notifies the freeholder, possibly supplying a duplicate of the tenancy agreement.
Despite our best efforts, we have been unsuccessful in negotiating a lease extension in Battersea. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on premiums?
in cases where there is a absentee landlord or if there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the relevant legislation it is possible to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to determine the price.
An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Battersea premises is 150A Albert Palace Mansions Lurline Gardens in July 2013. The Tribunal determined that the premium payable for the new lease of the subject property was £42,069 This case was in relation to 1 flat. The unexpired term as at the valuation date was 57.06 years.