As a novice what is the most important number one tip you can impart regarding purchase conveyancing in Camden Town?
Not many law firms shout this from the rooftops but conveyancing in Camden Town and elsewhere in England and Wales is an adversarial process. In other words, when it comes to conveyancing there exists lots of room for friction between you and others involved in the house moving process. For example, the seller, estate agent and sometimes the bank. Selecting a lawyer for your conveyancing in Camden Town should not be taken lightly as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONLY person in the process whose responsibility is to look after your legal interests and to protect you.
We are witnessing a definite creep of a "blame" culture- someone must be at fault for the process being so protracted. You your first instinct should be to trust your solicitor above the other parties when it comes to the legal transfer of property.
I am about to put a bid on a leasehold apartment in Camden Town. The estate agents say that it is standard for flats in Camden Town to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am expecting a loan with Tesco Bank. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 70 years to go.
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. Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 5/5/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I am the sole beneficiary of my late mum's estate with all property in now in my sole name, including the house in Camden Town. Conveyancing formalities meant that the Land Registry date was in April. I plan to dispose of the property. I do know about the Mortgage Lenders six month 'rule', meaning my property ownership could be considered the same way as if I'd bought the house in April. Do I have to wait 6 months to sell?
The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ handbook requires conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." Technically you could be affected by that. How practical a view banks take of it, depend on the mortgage company as this provision principally exists to pick up on the purchase and immediately sell or the quick reselling of properties.
When it comes to mortgage companies such as Santander, do Camden Town conveyancers face an annual charge to be on the conveyancing panel?
We are not aware of any lender fees to be on their panel, although some do charge an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.
Nationwide have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on a apartment in Camden Town has been agreed to, what happens next?
The property agent will need to be advised as to your solicitor's details (ensure that the solicitors are on the lender’s approved list). Contact Nationwide or the broker and finish off any relevant forms. Nationwide will sellect a valuer who will get in contact with the selling agent or seller to arrange a slot for the valuation to take place. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a fortnight to get a mortgage offer. Nationwide will issue the offer to you and your conveyancers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Camden Town.
How does conveyancing in Camden Town differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Camden Town contact us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because builders in Camden Town usually purchase the real estate, 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 property lawyers 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 Camden Town or who has acted in the same development.
I am looking for a ground for flat up to £245,000 and identified one near me in Camden Town I like with open areas and station nearby, the downside is that it's only got 51 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Camden Town in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a short lease?
Should you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term may be an issue. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for at least twenty four months you can request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor about this.
What are my options where I am not happy with the conveyancer who carried out my conveyancing in Camden Town?
Occasionally the level of service you receive is not as you expect, and unfortunately sometimes matters do not go as planned. However there is recourse where you were dissatisfied with your conveyancing in Camden Town. This varies from trying to resolve matters directly with them, through to reporting a lawyer to their regulator. If you remain unhappy you may consider enlisting the help of the Legal Ombudsman.