I have 70 years unexpired on my lease and require a lease extension for my flat in Portslade. Conveyancing solicitors on the Virgin panel can deal with such extensions right?
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are getting a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 1/10/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I am purchasing a end of terrace house in Portslade. Our aim is to convert the garage to an office at the house.Will the conveyancing process include enquiries to see if these alterations are permitted?
Your conveyancer should review the deeds as conveyancing in Portslade will on occasion identify restrictions in the title deeds which prohibit categories of alterations or need the permission of a 3rd party. Certain extensions need local authority planning permissions and approval in compliance with building regulations. Certain locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. You should check these issues with a surveyor prior to committing yourself to a purchase.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Portslade. I have a mortgage agreed with Yorkshire BS. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have 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 Yorkshire BS, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel.
I can not fathom if my mortgage offer obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date. I have telephoned my Portslade building society branch on numerous occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they will lend. My Portslade conveyancing solicitor - who is on the lender conveyancing panel- called to say that they refuse to lend in accordance with their specific requirements. Who do I believe?
Provided that the lawyer is on the mortgage company approved list, she or he must follow the CML Handbook requirements for the bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the bank will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the mortgage company to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.
The deeds to our house can not be found. The conveyancers who did the conveyancing in Portslade 10 years ago no longer exist. What do I do?
You no longer need to have the physical original deeds to prove you are the registered proprietor of land or premises, as the Land Registry hold details of all registered land or property electronically.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Portslade is where the house is located. What do you suggest?
Flying freeholds in Portslade are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Portslade you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Portslade may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.
We're first time buyers - agreed a price, but the property agent informed us that the seller will only issue a contract if we appoint their recommended conveyancers as they need an ‘expedited deal’. We would rather use a high street conveyancer with experience of conveyancing in Portslade
We suspect that the seller is unaware of this requirement. If they want ‘a quick sale', turning down a serious purchaser is not the way to achieve this. Speak to the vendors direct and make sure they comprehend that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to go, with finances arranged © you do not need to sell (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)however you are going to appoint your preferred Portslade conveyancing solicitors - not the ones that will provide the estate agent a referral fee or meet his conveyancing targets demanded by head office.
Builders have suggested I use a lawyer and I've obtained a quote from them. They are nearly £400 cheaper than my preferred Portslade lawyer. Should I use them?
Developers frequently have lists of conveyancers who are quick and who know the builder's paperwork and property lawyer. Plenty of developers offer an incentive to use their approved lawyer for this reason, any increased fees can be avoided and a builder will not suggest a conveyancing warehouse and run the risk of having the conveyancing stall when they demand an exchange within a tight time frame. A counter-argument for not agreeing to use the recommended property lawyer is that they may prove reluctant to 'push' your interests at the risk of upsetting the housebuilder. Where you have concerns that this may be the situation you should stick with your local Portslade conveyancer.