It is is a decade since I bought my property in Hockley. Conveyancing solicitors have now been appointed on the sale but I am unable to track down the title documents. Is this a problem?
You need not be too concerned. Firstly there is a possibility that the deeds will be with the lender or they could still be with the conveyancers who oversaw your purchase. Secondly the likelihood is that the property will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing solicitors obtaining current official copies of the land registers. Nearly all conveyancing in Hockley involves registered property but in the unlikely event that your home is unregistered it is more tricky but is not insurmountable.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Hockley. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 13/11/2026, the requirements read as follows :
What can a local search reveal regarding the house we're buying in Hockley?
Hockley conveyancing often starts with the ordering local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search organisations for instance Searchflow The local search plays an important role in many a Hockley conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any nasty surprises after you move into your new home. The search should reveal data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of 13 topic headings.
Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Hockley ahead of appointing lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. My surveyor advised that some lenders may not issue a mortgage on such a premises.
It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different requirements for example to Nationwide. If you contact us we can check via the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Hockley. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
Am I right to be wary that estate agents that I am dealing with are encouraging me to use a factory type conveyancing firm rather than a local Hockley conveyancing company?
As is the case with lots of professional services, often referrals from connections can be extremely useful or valuable. But there are many players in a conveyancing matter; estate agents, mortgage brokers and banks might all put forward conveyancers to use. Sometimes the lawyers might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but sometimes there is an underlying commercial relationship behind the endorsement. You are at liberty to choose your own lawyer. Don't forget that most mortgage providers operate an approved list of lawyers you must use for the lender aspect of your transaction.
I've found a house that appears to meet my requirements, at a great figure which is making it more attractive. I have just discovered that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a leasehold house in Hockley. Conveyancing solicitors have are soon to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?
Most houses in Hockley are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Hockley so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Hockley conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions such as requiring the freeholder’spermission to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a maintenance charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your solicitor will advise you fully on all the issues.
I purchased a studio flat in Hockley, conveyancing formalities finalised March 2005. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Similar flats in Hockley with a long lease are worth £227,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 levied per year. The lease runs out on 21st October 2098
With 72 years left to run we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £9,500 and £11,000 plus costs.
The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to advice on the actual costs without more comprehensive investigations. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other concerns that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward placing reliance on this information without first getting professional advice.