All was ready to move into my new home in Snowdonia next Tuesday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as he says that he has to check this in his capacity as lawyer for the lender. What does the insurance need to cover?
Any lawyer on acting for lenders would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s Part 2 instructions. These requirements are not unique to conveyancing in Snowdonia.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Snowdonia. My lender is Accord Mortgages
Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 12/5/2026, the requirements read as follows :
I had a mortgage agreed in principle with Nottingham. Snowdonia conveyancing solicitors were selected. How long does it take for Nottingham to issue the offer to the lawyer?
There is no definitive answer here. Have Nottingham completed the valuation? Have you informed Nottingham as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Nottingham conveyancing panel? Sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Snowdonia off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Clydesdale. 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 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 Clydesdale, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel.
I have instructed a Snowdonia property lawyer having checked that they are on the Principality conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
Principality will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Principality will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Snowdonia surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
I used Wolstenholmes several years ago for my conveyancing in Snowdonia. I now require my file however the law firm has closed. What do I do?
You should call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Snowdonia of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
Looking forward to exchange soon on a studio apartment in Snowdonia. Conveyancing lawyers inform me that they are sending me a report tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?
The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Snowdonia should include some of the following:
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Setting out your legal entitlements in relation to common areas in the building.E.G., does the lease permit a right of way over a path or staircase? What you can do if another tenant in the building is in violation of a provision in their lease? The physical ownership of the demise. This may be the property itself but may incorporate a roof space or basement if appropriate. You would want to receive a copy of the lease
I acquired a leasehold flat in Snowdonia, conveyancing was carried out 8 years ago. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Corresponding properties in Snowdonia with an extended lease are worth £201,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £45 invoiced annually. The lease runs out on 21st October 2091
With only 65 years remaining on your lease the likely cost is going to range between £13,300 and £15,400 plus legals.
The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs in the absence of detailed due diligence. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be other concerns that need to be considered and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.
We yesterday become aware that one of the partners of the conveyancing practice undertaking the purchase conveyancing in Snowdonia is is the sister of the vendor. Is this allowed?
On the basis that no conflict arises this is allowable. If you are needing mortgage finance then the bank may have a say as many banks have specific requirements on this. For example for Bradford & Bingley as of 12/5/2026, the requirements read as follows :