I am about to put a bid on a leasehold property in Blakelaw. The property agents tell me that it is usual for flats in Blakelaw to have less than 75 years remaining. I am obtaining a mortgage with Accord Mortgages. Is this going to be a problem if the lease has 70 years remaining.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are getting a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 20/2/2026 the requirements read as follows :
We are getting a further advance on our mortgage from Lloyds as we intend to conduct renovations to our property in Blakelaw. Are we obliged to select a bricks and mortar Blakelaw solicitor on the Lloyds conveyancing panel to handle the legals?
Lloyds would not normally require firms on their conveyancing panel to handle such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Lloyds panel.
The mortgage over my property is with Kent Reliance for my property in Blakelaw. Conveyancing was finalised 12 months ago. In the event that I decide to rent out the flat and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Kent Reliance?
Kent Reliance must be informed of your intention before renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Kent Reliance’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Kent Reliance will permit you to let out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Kent Reliance directly. You need not do this via a Kent Reliance conveyancing panel firm.
I can not fathom if my bank obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date. I have telephoned my Blakelaw building society branch on a couple of occasions and was told it wasn't an issue and they will lend. My Blakelaw conveyancing solicitor - who is on the lender conveyancing panel- called to say that they refuse to lend in accordance with their UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I have no idea who is right.
Your conveyancing practitioner must follow the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook section two 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 bank to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.
I have a 4 bedroom Edwardian property in Blakelaw. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Britannia. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: the first freehold, another for leasehold with the matching address. Is it worth asking Britannia to clarify?
You should assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Blakelaw and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also check the position with your conveyancing practitioner who conducted the purchase.
How does conveyancing in Blakelaw differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Blakelaw come to us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is ready to move into. This is because house builders in Blakelaw typically acquire the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Blakelaw or who has acted in the same development.
My step-father has suggested that I instruct his lawyers for conveyancing in Blakelaw. Should I find my own property lawyer?
No doubt the best way to select a conveyancing lawyer is to get referrals from friends or family who have actually experience in using the conveyancer that you are considering.
Back In 2004, I bought a leasehold house in Blakelaw. Conveyancing and Barclays mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1991. The conveyancing practitioner in Blakelaw who previously acted has now retired. Any advice?
First make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to incur the fees of a Blakelaw conveyancing solicitor to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. You should note that in any event, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.
Leasehold Conveyancing in Blakelaw - A selection of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing
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Does the lease have onerous restrictions? Make sure you discover if the the lease includes any adverse restrictions in the lease. By way of example plenty of leases prohibit pets being permitted in in a block in Blakelaw. If you like the propertyin Blakelaw but your cat is not allowed to make the move with you then you will be presented with a hard choice. The best form of lease structure is where the freehold interest is owned by the leaseholders. In this scenario the lessees benefit from control and notwithstanding that a managing agent is often retained if it is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves.