Me and my partner are hoping to purchase a 3 bedroom apartment in Hockley with a mortgage. We like our Hockley lawyer, but the mortgage company says he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the mortgage company panel conveyancing practices or keep our Hockley conveyancer and pay for one of their panel lawyers to represent them. We regard this is unjust; are we not able to insist that the lender use our Hockley conveyancing practitioner ?
No, not really. Your mortgage offer is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your Hockley conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
I am hoping to complete my purchase in Hockley next Tuesday. My property lawyer now wants me to supply her with proof of content and building insurance for the property as as she informs me that she is duty bound to validate that it is in order for the mortgage company. What risks does the mortgage company expect the insurance to cover?
All property lawyers on acting for banks would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s Part 2 requirements. These obligations are not unique to conveyancing in Hockley.
About to place an offer on a leasehold apartment in Hockley. The estate agents tell me that it is the norm for flats in Hockley to have less than 75 years remaining. I am expecting a loan with Bank of Ireland. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 72 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. Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 3/12/2025 the requirements read as follows :
Should commercial conveyancing searches reveal planned roadworks that may impact a commercial property in Hockley?
Many commercial conveyancing solicitors in Hockley will perform a SiteSolutions Highways report as it reduces the time that conveyancers invest in looking into accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Hockley. The search result sets out definitive data on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Hockley.
For every commercial conveyancing transaction in Hockley it is critical to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. The absence of identifying developments where adoption procedures have not been dealt with adequately could cause delays to Hockley commercial conveyancing transactions as well as pose a risk to future plans for the site. These searches are not conducted for domestic conveyancing in Hockley.
I used Wolstenholmes a few years ago for my conveyancing in Hockley. I now require my papers but cannot find the solicitor. What do I do?
Do contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Hockley of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
What makes a Hockley lease unmortgageable?
There is nothing unique about leasehold conveyancing in Hockley. Most leases are unique and drafting errors can sometimes mean that certain sections are wrong. For example, if your lease is missing any of the following, it could be defective:
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Repairing obligations to or maintain parts of the building A provision for the recovery of money spent for the benefit of another party.
A defective lease will likely cause problems when trying to sell a property primarily because it impacts on the ability to obtain a mortgage on the property. National Westminster Bank, Leeds Building Society, and Bank of Ireland all have very detailed requirements when it comes to what is expected in a lease. Where a lender has been advised by their lawyers that the lease does not cover certain provisions they may refuse to grant the mortgage, forcing the purchaser to withdraw.
I own a studio flat in Hockley, conveyancing having been completed half a dozen years ago. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Corresponding properties in Hockley with a long lease are worth £222,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 invoiced annually. The lease runs out on 21st October 2096
With 71 years remaining on your lease we estimate the price of your lease extension to be between £9,500 and £11,000 plus plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.
The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs in the absence of detailed investigations. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.