I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Lichfield. My lender is The Mortgage Works
The Mortgage Works have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 5/7/2026, the requirements read as follows :
Can you help - my lawyer advises that chancel insurance is needed on my purchase. What is the typical level of cover needed for conveyancing in Lichfield?
The right level of chancel indemnity insurance depends on who your lender is. It would differ for example between Halifax and Bank of Scotland. Conveyancing practitioners as opposed to borrowers take out such insurances.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Lichfield. I have a mortgage offer with Coventry BS. 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 Coventry BS, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel.
Planning on purchasing a apartment in Lichfield. I have received an online quote from a licenced conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Lender if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that the Lichfield lawyer is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel.
How does conveyancing in Lichfield differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Lichfield come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is ready to move into. This is because new home sellers in Lichfield typically 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 property lawyers 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 Lichfield or who has acted in the same development.
I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Lichfield for my remortgage. Is it possible to check a firm’s record with the legal regulator?
One may find documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations commenced on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's record, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA may monitor telephone calls for training purposes.
Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only Sixty One years left on my flat in Lichfield. I now want to get lease extension but my landlord is can not be found. What options are available to me?
On the basis that you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. You will be obliged to prove that you have used your best endeavours to track down the freeholder. In some cases a specialist may be helpful to conduct investigations and prepare a report to be accepted by the court as proof that the landlord is indeed missing. It is advisable to get professional help from a conveyancer both on devolving into the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court overseeing Lichfield.
Lichfield Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Queries Prior to buying
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Plenty Lichfield leasehold properties will incur a service bill for the upkeep of the building set on behalf of the landlord. If you acquire the property you will have to pay this contribution, normally periodically accross the year. This can vary from several hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for blocks with lifts and large common areas. There will also be a rentcharge to be met yearly, this is usually not a exorbitant figure, say about £50-£100 but you need to enquire it because sometimes it can be many hundreds of pounds. Does the lease contain onerous restrictions?
There are a lot of houses in Lichfield on unadopted roads. We are purchasing one such house. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a house on a privately owned road?
Lichfield conveyancing firms will be well versed in transacting homeson private. Your conveyancing practitioner should investigate title to identify any rights or responsibilities. It is possible that there is a residents association that owners pay into to maintain the road. Where one exists, the road will likely be maintained and appear better than publicly adopted.