My solicitor has identified a defect with the lease for the flat we are buying in Chard. The other side have put forward title insurance as a solution. We are content with insurance and will cover the costs. Our conveyancer has advised that he must check that the lender is content with this solution. Are we the client or is the mortgage company ?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the risk of a conflict of interest, you and the bank are the client. Your conveyancing practitioner must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook specifications. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects with the lease so that the mortgage company can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your property lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
Forgive me if this question is silly but I am unexperienced as FTB of a two bedroom flat in Chard. Do I collect the keys to the premises on completion from my conveyancer? If so, I will find a local conveyancing solicitor in Chard?
There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will electronically transfer the completion advance to the seller's lawyers, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you should be able to receive the keys from the selling Agents and move into your new home. Usually this happens early afternoon.
Are all Chard Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel?
A selection of lenders now use the accreditation scheme as the kick off point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS accreditation however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitors wishing to join their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.
My offer was accepted on a property in Chard on 24/2/2026, valuation was booked 3 days later, received a clean bill of health. Conveyancer appointed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to HSBC and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the HSBC conveyancing panel. Are HSBC entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?
A lender would not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for HSBC to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the HSBC conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
I am selling our home in Chard and according to the buyers it appears that there is a risk of it being built land that was not decontaminated. A local conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the purchasers instructed an internet conveyancing practice as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Chard. Having lived in Chard for many years we know that this is a non issue. Is it a good idea to contact our local Authority to obtain confirmation that there is no issue.
It would appear that you have a conveyancing solicitor currently acting for you. What do they say? You should enquire of 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 have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and identified one round the corner in Chard I like with open areas and railway links in the vicinity, the downside is that it only has 49 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Chard for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a lease with such few years left?
Should you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease may be problematic. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing owner has owned the property for at least twenty four months you can ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.
I need to find a conveyancing solicitor for purchase conveyancing in Chard. I've stumble upon a web site which seems to have the ideal solution If it is possible to get all formalities done via web that would be preferable. 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?
I am just shy of a 10% deposit on my house purchase in Chard , but I am anxious go ahead. Do I have options?
One option is to try and accept a lesser deposit. Many sellers will accept a lesser deposit or even no deposit for a first time buyer or 100% mortgage. Be aware though that if you fail to complete you will still need to hand over a minimum of 10% of the purchase price regardless of how much deposit was agreed.
You can also agree a simultaneous exchange and completion as no deposit is required for this however neither party will be tied in until completion actually takes place and it can be risky if sellers change their mind at the last second