In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Totterdown? Is this really necessary?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identification documents of the potential client they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing business. The Terms and Conditions that you are required to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lender will also require certain documents to be viewed. Where you refuse to supply identification documents, your lawyer will not be able to take you on as a client.
About to place an offer on a leasehold property in Totterdown. The selling agents assure me that it is normal for flats in Totterdown to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am expecting a mortgage with Virgin. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 72 years unexpired.
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 5/12/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I'm the single beneficiary of my late grandmother’s will with all property in now in my sole name, including the my former home in Totterdown. The Totterdown property was put into my name in November. I plan to dispose of the house. I understand that there is a CML 6 month 'rule', which means that my property ownership may be treated the same way as if I'd bought the property in November. Do I have to wait 6 months to sell?
The CML handbook obliges solicitors to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." Technically you may be affected by that. How sensible a view banks take of it, depend on the lender as this requirement primarily exists to identify the purchase and immediately sell or the wholesaling and assigning of property.
I have paid off my mortgage with Nottingham. I assume I don't need a Totterdown solicitor on the Nottingham panel to discharge the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm.
If you have finished paying off your Nottingham 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 Nottingham mortgage from the register. Nottingham, 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 Nottingham has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
- Nottingham has instructed the Land Registry to do so
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Totterdown off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Coventry BS. Conveyancing is new to me. 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 Coventry BS, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel.
My wife and I are downsizing from our home in Totterdown and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a risk of it being constructed on contaminated land. A high street Totterdown lawyer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the buyers are using a nationwide conveyancing practice rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Totterdown. We have lived in Totterdown for six years we know that this is a non issue. Should we get in touch with our local Authority to obtain confirmation need.
It would appear that you have a conveyancing solicitor currently acting for you. What do they say? You must enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same illness)
About to purchase a new build apartment in Totterdown. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be 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 Totterdown
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Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? Please supply a car parking plan. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal.
I have been on the look out for a ground for flat up to £305k and found one round the corner in Totterdown I like with a park and railway links nearby, the downside is that it's only got 61 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Totterdown in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a lease with such few years left?
If you require a mortgage that many years will be problematic. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you may request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor about this.