I am about to put a bid on a leasehold apartment in Dunchurch. The estate agents say that it is normal for flats in Dunchurch to have less than 75 years remaining. I am expecting a mortgage with Virgin. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 70 years left.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 14/12/2025 the requirements read as follows :
There is lots of information on this site about conveyancing in Dunchurch but what is your top tip for selecting the right conveyancer in Dunchurch
It would be unwise to be tempted by the lowest Dunchurch conveyancing costs illustration. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to property lawyers. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.
We had appointed conveyancing lawyers with offices in Dunchurch on the Principality solicitor approved list. They have just billed me a further sum for dealing with the Principality mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee set by Principality?
Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms of Engagement or Quote then yes your property lawyer is entitled to levy a fee for this. This charge is not set by Principality but by your Dunchurch conveyancing practitioner. Numerous firms on the Principality panel will levy an ‘acting for lender’ fee but some practices incorporate it on their overall fee.
I have paid off my mortgage with Clydesdale. I assume I don't need a Dunchurch property lawyer on the Clydesdale panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm.
If you have finished paying off your Clydesdale mortgage, they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Clydesdale mortgage from the register. Clydesdale, and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
- but are not moving to another property
- where Clydesdale has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
- Clydesdale has instructed the Land Registry to do so
Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to our home are lost. The solicitors who did the conveyancing in Dunchurch 4 years ago are no longer around. What are my options?
Gone are the days when you need to hold title official documentation to establish that you are the registered proprietor of land or premises, as the Land Registry have everything they need in a digital format.
How does conveyancing in Dunchurch differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Dunchurch approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is ready to move into. This is because house builders in Dunchurch typically buy the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Dunchurch or who has acted in the same development.
Over the last few months I have been searching for a ground for flat up to £195,000 and identified one close by in Dunchurch I like with open areas and railway links nearby, the downside is that it only has 49 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Dunchurch for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a lease with such few years left?
If you need a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will be problematic. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the property for a minimum of 2 years you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and pass 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 regarding this matter.
My uncle has suggested that I use his conveyancers in Dunchurch. Do I follow his advice?
Much as we are happy to recommend a Dunchurch conveyancing lawyer it’s preferable to select a conveyancing practitioner is to get guidance from friends or family who have actually used the firm that you are contemplating using.