Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Cotham. My lender is Chelsea Building Society
Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 18/6/2025, the requirements read as follows :
I am buying a property in Cotham. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Principality be concerned?
As you are obtaining a mortgage with Principality your lawyer must check the conveyancing instructions set out in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Principality. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook includes minimum provisions for solar panel roof-space leases, and property lawyers are required to report to Principality where a lease fails to comply with these conditions. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not isolated to Cotham.
I'm in the process of looking at flats in Cotham and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it best to have a property lawyer on ‘stand by’? I will be getting a home loan with RBS.
You should start obtaining conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their details on to the estate agent. As you are obtaining a mortgage with RBS, ask your prospective lawyers if they are on the RBS conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Cotham. I have a mortgage agreed with Clydesdale. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Clydesdale, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel.
Just had an offer accepted on a new build flat in Cotham. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.
Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Cotham
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Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision.
I have been recommended by numerous estate agents in Cotham to select a conveyancer on your site. Is there a financial incentive for Estate Agents to recommend your services over and above another?
We refuse to make any referral fee for directing people in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult a fee as members of the public would think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.
I own a leasehold flat in Cotham. Conveyancing and Godiva Mortgages Ltd mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1996. The conveyancing practitioner in Cotham who acted for me is not around. Any advice?
First make enquiries of HMLR to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. There is no need to incur the fees of a Cotham conveyancing solicitor to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.
I invested in buying a 1st floor flat in Cotham, conveyancing having been completed in 2002. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Equivalent flats in Cotham with a long lease are worth £216,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 per annum. The lease comes to an end on 21st October 2095
You have 70 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to be between £9,500 and £11,000 plus professional fees.
The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more detailed due diligence. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt additional concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not take any other action based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.
My parents cant seem to find their Cotham property on the HM Land Registry website. They have a vague recollection back in the 70’s when they purchased the property there were complications with Cotham not being identified on some systems.
Almost all properties in Cotham should show up. Have you limited your search to just the postcode. Usually it should reveal all the houses and flats inside the postcode. Assuming the property is registered it will be there with a title number. If they bought 50 years ago it's conceivable it may be unrecorded. The address may still be revealed but with the title number identified as 'na'. In this scenario you will need to find the original title papers which may be with your parent’s bank.