I am need of leasehold conveyancing for an apartment in a relatively new development (6 years built) in Chessington. Almost all the flats are already sold. Is it really necessary to order conveyancing searches for my conveyancing in Chessington?
You would be putting yourself at risk in not carrying out Chessington conveyancing searches. Without searches you have no clarity over flooding, environmental etc which may mean you walk away due to potential problems down the line. If you are buying without a mortgage there is no legal necessity to have them, but we would seriously advise in the strongest possible terms that your solicitor conducts them. If timings and driving down costs are top of your concerns you should discuss with your lawyer about the options such as indemnity insurance available to you
Why do I have to pay up front for my conveyancing in Chessington?
If you are buying a property in Chessington your lawyer will request that you place them with funds to cover the the cost of the conveyancing searches. Generally this is called for to cover the fees of the Local Authority Search. When the down payment is payable against the total price then this should be needed immediately ahead of exchange of contracts. The final balance that is needed will be payable shortly before completion.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Chessington. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 11/8/2026, the requirements read as follows :
I opted to have a survey completed on a property in Chessington ahead of retaining conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor advised that some lenders may refuse to issue a mortgage on such a home.
It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different instructions for example to Birmingham Midshires. If you contact us we can check with the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Chessington. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Chessington especially if they are acquainted with such properties in Chessington.
I am looking at a two maisonettes in Chessington both have about forty five years unexpired on the lease term. should I be concerned?
A lease is a right to use the premises for a period of time. As the lease shortens the saleability of the lease reduces and results in it becoming more expensive to acquire a lease extension. For this reason it is often a good idea to extend the lease term. Sometimes it is difficult to sell a property with a short lease as mortgage companies may be unwilling to lend money on such properties. Lease extension can be a protracted process. We recommend you get professional help from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this arena.
Having spent months of negotiations we cannot agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Chessington. Does the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal have jurisdiction to calculate the appropriate figures?
if there is a absentee freeholder or if there is disagreement about what the lease extension should cost, under the relevant legislation you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to make a decision on the premium.
An example of a Lease Extension case for a Chessington property is Flat D 15 Claremont Gardens in September 2013. TheTribunal determined in accordance with section48 and Schedule13 of the Leasehold Reform,Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 that the premium for the extended lease should be fourteen thousand one hundred and eighty seven pounds (£14,187.00) This case affected 1 flat.
Do online conveyancing organisations do everything a local Chessington solicitor does or do I still need to retain a solicitor for the final stages for my conveyancing in Chessington?
If you use an online conveyancer they should undertake all the tasks your Chessington conveyancer will cover.