My solicitor has discovered a a problem with the lease for the flat we are purchasing in Cotham. The other side have suggested title insurance as a solution. We are happy with insurance and will pay for it. Our conveyancer has advised that he must be satisfied that the bank is content with this solution. Are we the client or is the bank?
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 lawyer must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects with the lease so that the lender 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 conveyancer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
We note that you have a search directory identifying firms on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a referral fee if I retain them for our conveyancing in Cotham?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Cotham.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Cotham. My lender is Accord Mortgages
Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 4/4/2025, the requirements read as follows :
In what way can the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 affect my business property in Cotham and how can your lawyers assist?
The 1954 Act gives protection to commercial leaseholders, granting the right to apply to court for a renewal tenancy and remain in occupation at the end of an expired lease. There are certain specified grounds where a landlord can refuse a lease renewal and the rules are involved. Fees are different for commercial conveyancing. Cotham is one of our numerous areas of the UK in which the firms we work with have offices
I only have 72 years left on my lease in Cotham. I now want to extend my lease but my landlord is absent. What are my options?
If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you have done all that could be expected to track down the freeholder. On the whole a specialist may be helpful to try and locate and to produce an expert document which can be used as evidence that the freeholder can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a solicitor in relation to devolving into the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court covering Cotham.
I acquired a 2 bed flat in Cotham, conveyancing was carried out 6 years ago. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Corresponding properties in Cotham with a long lease are worth £180,000. The ground rent is £65 charged once a year. The lease terminates on 21st October 2084
With only 59 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £20,900 and £24,200 plus legals.
The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to provide the actual costs without more comprehensive due diligence. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional concerns that need to be taken into account and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward placing reliance on this information before getting professional advice.
Why can't I complete my conveyancing in Cotham on May bank holiday?
Because on completion the funds needs to pass between the banks of the purchaser and owner’s property lawyer and at present this can only take place on a working day. So you can't complete on a saturday or sunday either.