I have given 2 months notice to my current landlord and must vacate my rented property in Staffordshire by the end of next month. Conveyancing on my purchase is progressing. Is it possible to complete in a couple of weeks as don't want to have to find temporary accommodation?
Generally one should not serve notice on a rental until you have exchanged. Assuming that you have not previously done so, update to your conveyancer and request that they apply pressure on the owners solicitors, try to a target completion date that all parties will aim towards
I have Fifty Six years left on my lease and need a lease extension for my apartment in Staffordshire. Conveyancing solicitors on the Bank of Ireland panel can deal with such extensions right?
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. Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 30/7/2026 the requirements read as follows :
Can you point me to a directory of Virgin Money panel solicitors in Staffordshire on the Building Society Association’s Website?
Unfortunately not yet. There is no such facility on the CML or Building Society Association websites. Very few lenders make their panel listings viewable online. If you are looking for a Staffordshire conveyancer on the Virgin Money please make the most of our facility.
I have today made my last payment due on my mortgage with Barclays. I assume I don't need a Staffordshire lawyer on the Barclays panel to discharge the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm.
If you have finished paying off your Barclays mortgage, they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Barclays mortgage from the register. Barclays, and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
- but are not moving to another property
- where Barclays has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
- Barclays has instructed the Land Registry to do so
I can not fathom if my bank requires a lease extension. I have called my Staffordshire bank branch on numerous occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they will lend. My Staffordshire conveyancing solicitor - who is on the lender conveyancing panel- telephoned to say that they will not lend in accordance with their UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I have no idea who is right.
Your conveyancing practitioner must follow the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook Part 2 conditions for your bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the mortgage company 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.
A relative advised me that where I am purchasing in Staffordshire I should ask my conveyancer to perform a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
A search of this type is sometimes quoted for as part of the standard Staffordshire conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing important information about Staffordshire around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime details, Staffordshire Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data concerning Staffordshire.
I have been pointed in your direction by numerous estate agents in Staffordshire to locate a conveyancer using your seach tool. Is there a financial incentive for Estate Agents to promote your lawyers over alternative conveyancing organisations?
We don’t give any commission for directing people in our direction. We thought it would be too underhand to pay a commission because members of the public would think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.
What can I do to determine who owns a house in Staffordshire?
As long as the property is registered with the Land Registry, and you have sufficient information of the address of the premises, you should be able to see results from the HMLR of the recorded proprietor for a for less than a fiver.