We have very pushy sellers who has recommended a exclusivity contract with a payment of 5k. Are such arrangements the norm for Leicester conveyancing transactions?
There are two primary drawbacks with entering into any lock out agreement (also termed an exclusivity agreement) is that it takes away the focus from making progress with the conveyancing work, so unless it requires minimal or no negotiation then it may transpire to be a cause of frustration and delay. It is not promoted amongst Leicester conveyancing solicitors as a result. The other main issue is the extent of the remedies available - an aggrieved buyer is very unlikely to be issued with an injunctive ruling by a court to bar the owner selling to an alternative purchaser, so the only remedy available under the agreement will be the recovery of wasted charges and, in limited scenarios, the additional payment of penalties.
Can you explain why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Leicester costs more?
Leicester leasehold properties involve far more paperwork than a freehold purchase, and therefore takes more time to examine and advise upon.Conveyancing will involve the lease having to be checked which is usually a lengthy document, queries raised to ensure that the covenants and conditions have been observed. If it is a flat there will be a management company in existence and the accounts of this will need to be checked and enquiries raised to ensure it is operating efficiently and that all monies due have been paid by the Seller to the company and if not ensuring that money is paid up to date or the appropriate undertakings obtained.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Leicester. My lender is Chelsea Building Society
Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 21/6/2025, the requirements read as follows :
I am buying a property in Leicester. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. TSB have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
As your lender is TSB your lawyer must comply with the conveyancing instructions outlined in Section 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for TSB. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook stipulates minimum conditions for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancers are required to report to TSB where a lease fails to comply with these requirements. The specifications relate to the installation of panels on properties nationwide and is not isolated to Leicester.
My husband and I are in the throws of viewing apartments in Leicester and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it advisable to have my conveyancing practitioner on ‘stand by’? I am planning to take a mortgage with RBS.
You should start obtaining conveyancing estimates from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on to the selling agent. As you are obtaining a mortgage with RBS, ask your prospective lawyers if they are on the RBS conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Leicester. I have a mortgage offer with Virgin Money. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Virgin Money, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel.
Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Leicester?
Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Leicester. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’
Last January I purchased a leasehold flat in Leicester. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before my ownership?
In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.
If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).
I inherited a 1 bedroom flat in Leicester, conveyancing having been completed in 1997. How much will my lease extension cost? Comparable flats in Leicester with an extended lease are worth £207,000. The ground rent is £60 invoiced annually. The lease expires on 21st October 2082
With 57 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £28,500 and £33,000 plus legals.
The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to provide the actual costs in the absence of detailed due diligence. Do not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other issues that need to be considered and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not take any other action based on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.