I have given 2 months notice to my existing landlord and have to be out of my let out flat in Dartford by the end of next month. Conveyancing on my purchase has just started. How realistic is it to complete in 5 weeks as don't want to have to move into temporary accommodation?
The normal practice is not to provide notice on a rental unless your lawyer suggests that you should. Assuming that you have not previously done so, update to your conveyancer and request that they apply pressure on the owners side, try to get a realistic time scale from them that all parties will aim to achieve
It is 10 years ago since I acquired my home in Dartford. Conveyancing lawyers have recently been appointed on the sale but I am unable to track down the deeds. Will this jeopardise the sale?
Don’t worry too much. Firstly there is a possibility that the deeds will be kept by the mortgage company or they may be in the possession of the conveyancers who handled the purchase. Secondly the likelihood is that the property will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors acquiring up to date copy of the land registers. Nearly all conveyancing in Dartford relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your property is not registered it is more problematic but is not insurmountable.
I am about to put a bid on a leasehold apartment in Dartford. The property agents assure me that it is the norm for flats in Dartford to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am expecting a mortgage with Platform. Is this going to be acceptable if the lease has Seventy One years unexpired.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 8/4/2026 the requirements read as follows :
Should my conveyancer be raising questions regarding flooding during the conveyancing in Dartford.
The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for lawyers dealing with homes in Dartford. There are those who buy a property in Dartford, completely expectant that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, leaving to one side the physical destruction, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, adequate building insurance, or dispose of the property. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a property purchase to forewarn the purchaser.
Conveyancers are not best placed to impart advice on flood risk, however there are a numerous searches that can be initiated by the purchaser or by their lawyers which should figure out the risks in Dartford. The standard property information forms supplied to a buyer’s lawyer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) contains a standard inquiry of the vendor to find out whether the property has suffered from flooding. In the event that the residence has been flooded in past which is not revealed by the vendor, then a purchaser could issue a compensation claim stemming from an inaccurate reply. The purchaser’s conveyancers will also conduct an enviro report. This will higlight whether there is a recorded flood risk. If so, further inquiries will need to be initiated.
I am buying a new build house in Dartford with a mortgage from Bank of Ireland. The sellers would not move on the price so I negotiated £7000 of fixtures and fittings instead. The sale representative advised me not inform my solicitor about the deal as it will adversely affect my loan with the lender. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on two weeks back in what was supposed to be a quick, no chain conveyancing. Dartford is the location of the property. Can you offer any assistance?
Flying freeholds in Dartford are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Dartford you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Dartford may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.