Can you help? My Blackfen solicitor is informing me me that she is duty bound toconduct Blackfen conveyancing searches due to the fact thatthe firm are on the HSBCsolicitor panel. Do I not have any options here?
Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. As you are taking a home loan with a mortgage company your conveyancing practitioner has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your conveyancer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of your lender’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook provisions . Even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out Blackfen conveyancing searches.
It is 10 years ago since I bought my house in Blackfen. Conveyancing lawyers have just been appointed on the sale but I am unable to locate the title deeds. Will this cause complications?
You need not be too concerned. First the deeds may be with the lender or they may be in the possession of the lawyers who acted in your purchase. Secondly the chances are that the title will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors procuring current official copies of the land registers. Most conveyancing in Blackfen involves registered property but in the unlikely event that your home is not registered it adds to the complexity but is not insurmountable.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Blackfen. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 14/1/2026, the requirements read as follows :
I have been on the look out for a ground for flat up to £235,500 and found one near me in Blackfen I like with open areas and station nearby, the downside is that it's only got 52 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Blackfen for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a lease with such few years left?
Should you need a home loan that many years will likely be problematic. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the property for a minimum of 2 years you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor concerning this matter.
I need to appoint a conveyancing solicitor for freehold conveyancing in Blackfen. I have discover a site which looks to be the perfect solution If there is a chance to get all formalities done via email that would be ideal. Should I be wary? What are the potential pitfalls?
As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?
My partner and I yesterday found out that one of the partners of the law firm handling the purchase conveyancing in Blackfen is an aunty of the seller. Is this allowed?
On the basis that no conflict arises this is permitted. If you are obtaining mortgage finance then the bank may have a say as many banks have specific requirements concerning this. For example for Chelsea Building Society as of 14/1/2026, the requirements read as follows :
* there is no conflict of interest and none arises during the transaction
* the firm is a partnership
* the conveyancer acting is not the borrower or a member of the borrower's immediate family.