I have given 8 weeks notice to my current landlord and have to vacate my rented property in Handsworth by 27/10/2025. Conveyancing on my purchase has just started. How realistic is it to complete in 4 weeks as I wish to avoid having to find temporary accommodation?
The normal practice is not to give notice on a rental until your lawyer suggests that you should. If you have not already done so, speak to your solicitor and request that they cajole the sellers side, try to an acceptable time-line that all parties will work to achieve
When it comes to mortgage companies such as RBS, do Handsworth lawyers incur a yearly amount to be on the conveyancing panel?
We are unaware of any lender 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 true that all Handsworth solicitors on the RBS conveyancing panel are regulated by the SRA?
As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the RBS approved list of solicitors they would need to be regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Many banks do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel and in such a situation the firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
My husband and I have organised the release of further funds on our mortgage from Yorkshire BS as we want to carry out a loft conversion to our home in Handsworth. Are we obliged to appoint a bricks and mortar Handsworth solicitor on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel to deal with the paperwork?
Yorkshire BS don't usually instruct firms on their approved list of lawyers to deal with such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel.
How does conveyancing in Handsworth differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Handsworth come to us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because builders in Handsworth usually acquire the land, 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 used to new build conveyancing in Handsworth or who has acted in the same development.
As co-executor for the will of my father I am disposing of a residence in Swansea but I am based in Handsworth. My conveyancer (approximately 200 miles awayrequires that I execute a statutory declaration ahead of the transaction finalising. Could you suggest a conveyancing lawyer in Handsworth who can attest this legal document for me?
strictly speaking you are not likely to be required to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily any notary public or solicitor will do regardless of whether they are located in Handsworth
Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Handsworth from the point of view of speeding up the sale process?
- Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Handsworth can be reduced where you appoint lawyers the minute your agents start marketing the property and ask them to put together the leasehold documentation needed by the purchasers’ representatives. If there is a history of conflict with your freeholder or managing agents it is essential that these are resolved prior to the flat being marketed. The purchasers and their solicitors will be nervous about purchasing a property where a dispute is unsettled. You may have to bite the bullet and discharge any arrears of service charge or settle the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled prior to the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal particulars of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is better to reveal the dispute as over as opposed to unresolved. You believe that you know the number of years remaining on your lease but it would be wise to double-check via your lawyers. A buyer’s lawyer will be unlikely to recommend their client to proceed with the purchase of a leasehold property the lease term is below 75 years. It is therefore important at an as soon as possible that you consider whether the lease term requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your property on the market for sale. Many freeholders or managing agents in Handsworth levy fees for providing management packs for a leasehold property. You or your lawyers should find out the actual amount of the charges. The management pack sought on or before finding a buyer, thus reducing delays. The typical amount of time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most usual reason for frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Handsworth.
Handsworth Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries Prior to buying
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Plenty Handsworth leasehold flats will incur a service bill for maintenance of the block levied on behalf of the management company. Should you acquire the property you will have to pay this amount, usually in instalments accross the year. This could vary from two or three hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for large purpose-built buildings. In all probability there will be a ground rent to be met annual, this is usually not a large figure, say about £50-£100 but you need to check it because on occasion it can be surprisingly expensive. The answer will be helpful as a) areas may cause problems in the block as the communal areas may begin to deteriorate if repairs are not paid for b) if the leasehold owners have an issue with the managing agents you will need to have all the details Is the freehold reversion owned collectively by the tenants?
I have just found out that one of the partners of the solicitors undertaking the purchase conveyancing in Handsworth is a relative of the vendor. Is this permitted?
As long as there is no conflict of interest this is permitted. If you are needing mortgage finance then the bank may have a say as many mortgage companies have specific instructions concerning this. For example for RBS - Virgin One as of 29/8/2025, the requirements read as follows :