We are intending to purchase a 3 bedroom flat in Queenborough with a mortgage. We have a Queenborough conveyancer, but the mortgage company advise he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the bank panel conveyancing practices or continue with our Queenborough lawyer and pay for one of their panel lawyers to act for them. This feels very unfair; is there anything we can do?
No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your Queenborough conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
I have given 8 weeks notice to my current landlord and must leave my let out property in Queenborough by 3/11/2026. Conveyancing for my house purchase is underway. How realistic is it to complete in 5 weeks as I wish to avoid having to find temporary accommodation?
It is unwise to give notice on a rental unless exchange of contracts has taken place. If you have not already done so, contact to your lawyer and urge them to they apply pressure on the owners side, try to get a realistic time scale from them that all parties will look to achieve
I own a freehold residence in Queenborough but still charged rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in Queenborough and has limited impact for conveyancing in Queenborough but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.
Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.
Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.
About to place a bid on a leasehold property in Queenborough. The estate agents assure me that it is usual for flats in Queenborough to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am obtaining a loan with Platform. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 70 years to go.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 6/9/2026 the requirements read as follows :
I am purchasing my first flat in Queenborough with the aid of help to buy. The sellers refused to budge the price so I negotiated £7000 of additionals instead. The house builders rep suggested that I not reveal to my solicitor about the extras as it would jeopardize my loan with Platform Home Loans Ltd. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
I have just appointed agents to market my 2 bed apartment in Queenborough. Conveyancing has not commenced, but I have just received a half-yearly service charge invoice – Do I pay up?
The sensible thing to do is clear the service charge as usual given that all rents and service payments will be apportioned as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you will be reimbursed by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. This will smooth the conveyancing process.
I inherited a garden flat in Queenborough, conveyancing was carried out February 2012. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Similar flats in Queenborough with an extended lease are worth £171,000. The ground rent is £50 yearly. The lease comes to an end on 21st October 2105
With just 79 years unexpired the likely cost is going to range between £8,600 and £9,800 plus legals.
The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed investigations. Do not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be other issues that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.