In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in West Dulwich? Why is this being asked of me?
West Dulwich conveyancing solicitors as well as nationwide property practitioners throughout the UK have an obligation under money laundering regulations to check the identity of any client in order to ensure that clients are who they say they are.
Conveyancing clients will need to provide two forms of certified identification; proof of identity (usually a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (typically a Utility Bill no more than three months).
Confirmation of source of monies is also necessary under the money laundering regulations as lawyers are duty bound to check that the funds you are utilising to acquire a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the total purchase amount if you are buying without a mortgage) has originated from legitimate source (such as employment savings) rather than the product of illegitimate behaviour.
I am about to put an offer on a leasehold flat in West Dulwich. The estate agents say that it is usual for flats in West Dulwich to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am expecting a mortgage with Chelsea Building Society. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 70 years unexpired.
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. Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 28/3/2026 the requirements read as follows :
Does a directory service exist listing Skipton panel conveyancers in West Dulwich on the Building Society Association’s Website?
Unfortunately not yet. There is no such directory service on the CML or Building Society Association websites. A small selection of lenders make their panel listings visible over the internet. If you are in need of a West Dulwich property lawyer on the Skipton please use our tool.
I have today made my last payment due on my mortgage with Lloyds. I assume I don't need a West Dulwich solicitor on the Lloyds panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
If you have finished paying off your Lloyds 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 Lloyds mortgage from the register. Lloyds, 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 Lloyds has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
- Lloyds has instructed the Land Registry to do so
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in West Dulwich off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Barclays. 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 Barclays, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Barclays conveyancing panel.
My friend recommended that where I am purchasing in West Dulwich I should ask my conveyancer to carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?
This is a search is sometimes quoted for as part of the standard West Dulwich conveyancing searches. It is a large report of about 40 pages, listing and setting out significant information about West Dulwich 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 type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime details, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information regarding West Dulwich.
Taking into account that I will soon spend £400,000 on a garden flat in West Dulwich I wish to have a conversation with the lawyer concerning thehouse move in advance of instructing the firm. Can this be arranged?
We could not agree more - it is our preference to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you liaising with the conveyancer who will be conducting your conveyancing in West Dulwich.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - every client is unique person, not a case reference. The solicitors that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are provided with for residential conveyancing in West Dulwich should be the figure that you are charged.
I've recently bought a leasehold flat in West Dulwich. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before my ownership?
Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.
If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).
I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord to extend my lease without any joy. Can a leaseholder apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a West Dulwich conveyancing firm to assist?
in cases where there is a absentee freeholder or if there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the relevant legislation you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to assess the amount due.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement case for a West Dulwich property is 8 Deerbrook Road in May 2010. the Tribunal held that the enfranchisement price, in accordance with section 32 and Schedule 6 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 was £22,820, payable by the Applicants. By an order of the Lambeth County Court dated 17 June 2009 the case had been transferred to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal for its determination of the premium payable This case related to 3 flats.