In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Machen? Is this really necessary?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering regulations require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to check the ID of the potential client they are dealing with prior to agreeing to accepting their conveyancing retainer. The Client Care letter that you need to sign will no doubt reaffirm this. Your lender will also require certain documents to be checked. Should you refuse to supply identification documents, your lawyer can not take you on as a client.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Machen. My lender is Accord Mortgages
Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 13/2/2026, the requirements read as follows :
My aunt pointed out to me me that in buying a property in Machen there could be a number of restrictions preventing external changes to a property. Is this right?
There are a number of properties in Machen which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to perform external changes. Part of the conveyancing in Machen should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.
We have a mortgage agreed in principle with Barclays. Machen conveyancing solicitors have been instructed. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from Barclays?
There is no definitive answer here. Have Barclays completed the valuation? Have you advised Barclays as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Barclays conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.
I was told three weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by Kent Reliance. Is it usual for Kent Reliance to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Machen is approved on their conveyancing panel? Kent Reliance have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their PI Insurance.
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Kent Reliance to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
Should our conveyancer be asking questions concerning flooding during the conveyancing in Machen.
Flooding is a growing risk for lawyers carrying out conveyancing in Machen. There are those who buy a house in Machen, completely expectant that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, leaving to one side the physical destruction, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, adequate insurance cover, or sell the property. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a house purchase to forewarn the purchaser.
Lawyers are not qualified to impart advice on flood risk, but there are a various searches that may be initiated by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which should give them a better understanding of the risks in Machen. The standard completed inquiry forms given to a buyer’s solicitor (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) incorporates a standard question of the seller to discover whether the premises has suffered from flooding. If flooding has previously occurred which is not disclosed by the owner, then a purchaser could bring a legal claim for losses stemming from an misleading reply. A purchaser’s conveyancers should also commission an enviro report. This should reveal whether there is any known flood risk. If so, more detailed investigations will need to be made.
I opted to have a survey completed on a house in Machen prior to retaining conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. The surveyor advised that some banks will not issue a mortgage on a flying freehold home.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different instructions from Birmingham Midshires. If you call us we can check with the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Machen. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Machen especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Machen.
I only have 62 years unexpired on my flat in Machen. I now want to get lease extension but my landlord is missing. What are my options?
On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have done all that could be expected to track down the lessor. In some cases an enquiry agent should be helpful to conduct investigations and prepare a report which can be used as proof that the landlord is indeed missing. It is advisable to get professional help from a solicitor in relation to investigating the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing Machen.
I own a leasehold flat in Machen, conveyancing formalities finalised May 1998. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Similar properties in Machen with an extended lease are worth £181,000. The ground rent is £55 invoiced every year. The lease terminates on 21st October 2076
With only 50 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £31,400 and £36,200 plus legals.
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 other issues that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.