I have given 8 weeks notice to my current landlord and have to leave my let out apartment in New Barnet by 1/4/2026. Conveyancing for my house purchase is underway. Is it possible to complete in a couple of weeks as I wish to avoid having to find short term accommodation?
It is unwise to provide notice on a rental unless your lawyer suggests that you should. Assuming that you have not already done so, speak to your solicitor and ask them to they apply pressure on the owners lawyers, try to get a realistic time scale from them that everyone will aim to achieve
Can you clarify what the consequences are if my solicitor is expelled from the Lloyds Conveyancing panel ahead of completing my conveyancing in New Barnet?
The first thing to point out is that, this is a very rare occurrence. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have to instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by a regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit at a cost.
I am the single beneficiary of my late mum's estate with all property in now in my sole name, including the house in New Barnet. The New Barnet property was put into my name in December. I now wish to sell up. I understand that there is a CML six month 'rule', which means that my property ownership could be regarded the same way as if I'd bought the property in December. Do I have to wait half a year to sell?
The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ handbook obliges conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." Technically you might be impacted by that. Some lenders would take a practical view as this obligation is principally there to pick up on subsales or the flipping of properties.
I am purchasing a property in New Barnet. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender RBS be concerned?
As your lender is RBS your lawyer must comply with the formal instructions contained in Part 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for RBS. The CML Handbook includes minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancers are required to report to RBS where a lease does not satisfy these provisions. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not isolated to New Barnet.
The formalities of my purchase has taken place for my property in New Barnet. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I would like to complain about the lender. How does one go about formally complaining?
All banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Team at head office. Ordinarily complaints to a lender are sorted out effectively and efficiently. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.
My wife and I own a semi-detached Edwardian property in New Barnet. Conveyancing practitioner represented me and Virgin Money. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are a couple of entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same property. Is it worth asking Virgin Money to clarify?
You should read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in New Barnet and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with lenders. You can also enquire as to the position with your conveyancing lawyer who conducted the conveyancing.
The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build apartment in New Barnet. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.
Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in New Barnet
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Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose?
I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and identified one close by in New Barnet I like with a park and station nearby, the downside is that it's only got 51 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in New Barnet for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a short lease?
If you require a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will likely be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the premises for at least twenty four months you could request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer concerning this.