We chose a Falconwood based lawyer for my conveyancing in Falconwood recently. Upon checking the Terms I seeI am liable for fees even where the transaction does not complete. Would I be best advised to use a web based solicitor practice advertising no-sale-no-fee conveyancing in Falconwood?
Generally there is a compromise along the lines that if "No Completion No Fee" is advertised then the fee levels will generally be more expensive to counteract the transactions that do not go ahead. Do bear in mind that these schemes rarely protect you from expenditure such as Falconwood conveyancing search charges.
My wife and I have lately acquired a house in Falconwood. We have noticed several problems with the house which we consider were missed in the conveyancing searches. What action can we take? What searches should? have been ordered as part of conveyancing in Falconwood?
The question is not clear as what problems have arisen and if they are relate to conveyancing in Falconwood. Conveyancing searches and due diligence initiated during the legal transfer of property are carried out to help avoid problems. As part of the legal transfer of property, the vendor fills in a form known as a Seller’s Property Information Form. If the information is inaccurate, you could possibly take legal action against the owner for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Falconwood.
We are planning to acquire a flat and require a conveyancing solicitor in Falconwood who is on the HSBC approved panel. Can you recommend a local conveyancing firm?
Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for HSBC . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Falconwood.
I have Fifty Six years left on my lease and need a lease extension for my flat in Falconwood. Conveyancing solicitors on the The Mortgage Works panel can deal with such extensions right?
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. The Mortgage Works have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 25/11/2025 the requirements read as follows :
Where the unexpired lease term is different to that recorded on the mortgage offer, the following clarifies if we need to be informed:
Second hand property:
- If the unexpired lease term on the offer is 85 years or more - only advise us if the actual lease term is less than 85 years
- if the unexpired lease term on the offer is less than 85 years – advise us if the actual lease term is different than reported
- For equity share applications - advise us if the actual lease term is different than reported on the offer
New build property:
- If the unexpired lease term stated on the offer is 125 years (flat) / 250 years (house) or more - only advise us if the actual lease term is less than 125 years (flat) / 250 years (house)
- For equity share applications - always advise us if the actual lease term is different than reported on the offer
Lease terms such as ground rent and event fees must be reasonable at all times during the term of the lease and adhere to our requirements below. If you’re unsure as to whether the terms of a lease are unreasonable or onerous, please refer the details to us in plain English for Valuer consideration. If the potentially onerous terms are in relation to the ground rent please include the current ground rent figure per annum, how often it will be reviewed and the price structure it will be reviewed against. See the guidance below.
SECOND HAND PROPERTIES
Unacceptable - advise Issuing Office (Will be declined):
- Unexpired lease term less than 70 years
- Less than 30 years remaining at the end of the mortgage term
- Ground Rent greater than 0.5% of the property value
- Ground Rent doubles less than every 20 years (e.g. doubles every 5, 10 or 15 years) - acceptable if doubles every 20 years or more
- Ground Rent is compounded RPI
- Ground Rent review period less than or equal to 5 years
Refer to Issuing Office (Valuer will consider any impact on valuation figure and marketability):
- Unexpired lease term is 70 to 85 years
- Ground Rent greater than 0.1% and less than or equal to 0.5% of the property value
- Ground Rent escalation is linked to any indices greater than RPI
- Ground Rent escalation is linked to the value of the building*
- Ground Rent review period is greater than 5 and less than 10 years
- Event clauses exist for normal use e.g. changing the carpet, installing a TV aerial etc
- Estate Rent Charges greater than £500 p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover)
- Service Charges greater than 1.0% of property value p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover)
- Anything that appears onerous, unusual or out of the ordinary
Acceptable (no requirement to advise Issuing Office):
- Unexpired lease term greater than 85 years
- Ground Rent less than or equal to 0.1% of the property value
- Ground Rent review period greater than or equal to 10 years
- Ground Rent escalation less than or equal to RPI
NEW BUILD PROPERTIES (includes office conversions)
Unacceptable - advise Issuing Office (will be declined):
- Unexpired lease term less than 125 years on a new build flat or less than 250 years on a new build house
- Any lease which is subject to a ground rent (or annual rent) being charged which is more than on a peppercorn basis
- Any lease which is subject to a ground rent (or annual rent) being reviewed and altered on any review basis or methodology
Refer to Issuing Office (Valuer will consider any impact on valuation figure and marketability):
- Event clauses exist for normal use e.g. changing the carpet, installing a TV aerial etc
- Estate Rent Charges greater than £500 p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover)
- Service Charges greater than 1.0% of property value p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover)
- Anything else appears onerous, unusual or out of the ordinary
Acceptable (no requirement to advise Issuing Office):
- Unexpired lease term greater than or equal to 125 years on a new build flat or greater than or equal to 250 years on a new build house
- A lease subject to a peppercorn ground rent (annual rent) charges
For the avoidance of doubt, any new build properties completed but not sold pre 30 June 2022 will only be acceptable if the lease conforms to the above guidance
* Where the Ground Rent escalation is linked to the value of the building, please provide the following:
- How is the value of the block/unit currently calculated and if the assessment relates to the block(s), how is the Ground Rent calculated/apportioned per property?
- The current valuation and Ground Rent for each unit
- What is the mechanism for future valuations of the block and how is the Ground Rent calculated/apportioned?
- What is the right of appeal? And is this a documented process within the lease?
- Who bears the cost of the valuation (and appeal) process?
- Confirmation the review period is not less than twenty years
LEASE EXTENSIONS
We require all lease extensions to be completed under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 and to meet the above criteria as a minimum. Where you become aware that it does not meet these requirements, please refer to the Issuing Office
Please ensure that all lender enquiries are submitted (with full documentation/requirements) at least 2 weeks prior to exchange to allow sufficient time for review and decisioning.
I am buying a end of terrace house in Falconwood. The intention is to an extension at the rear at the property.Will legal due diligence on the property involve investigations to determine if these works were previously refused?
Your conveyancer should check the registered title as conveyancing in Falconwood can occasionally reveal restrictions in the title documents which prevent certain alterations or need the permission of a 3rd party. Some works call for local authority planning permissions and approval under the building regulations. Many locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or impact extensions. You should check these things with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.
I have been told by my conveyancer that breach of easement insurance is required on my purchase. What is the typical level of cover needed for conveyancing in Falconwood?
The appropriate level of breach of easement indemnity insurance should be dictated by who your lender. It would differ for example between HSBC Bank and Coventry Building Society. Conveyancing lawyers as opposed to borrowers take out such policies.
When it comes to mortgage companies such as Virgin Money, do Falconwood conveyancers have to pay a fee to be on the conveyancing panel?
We are unaware of any bank fees to register on their list of approved firms, although some do charge an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.
Is it necessary to pay for insurance to cover chancel repairs when purchasing a house in Falconwood?
Unless a previous acquisition of the premises took place post 12 October 2013 you can expect conveyancing practitioners carrying out conveyancing in Falconwood to continue to advocate a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.