We are acquiring our first property. Our conveyancer has messagedto check if we wish to purchase extra conveyancing searches. As novices we are clueless as to what's appropriate for conveyancing in Whittlesey
The quantity and type of Whittlesey conveyancing searches should be triggered based primarily on the property, the location, the possibility of any of these risks, your familiarity of the region and risks, your general attitude to risk. What is important is that you adequately understand what information the searches could provide. You may then make a decision if you consider that you need that search. If unsure, ask the lawyer to explain.
About to place an offer on a leasehold property in Whittlesey. The estate agents assure me that it is standard for flats in Whittlesey to have less than 75 years left on the lease. I am taking out a loan with Virgin. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 72 years left.
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 2/10/2025 the requirements read as follows :
My solicitor has informed me that missing deeds insurance is necessary on my purchase. What is the typical level of cover needed for conveyancing in Whittlesey?
The right level of missing deeds indemnity insurance depends on who your lender is. It would differ for example between HSBC Bank and Bank of Scotland. Conveyancing solicitors as opposed to borrowers take out such policies.
I have paid off my mortgage with Nottingham. I assume I don't need a Whittlesey conveyancing practitioner on the Nottingham panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
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 finally had an offer on a flat in Whittlesey accepted, but there is a chain. The sellers have put an offer on a flat, but it’s not yet agreed to, and have viewings of other flats booked. I have chosen a bricks and mortar conveyancing solicitor in Whittlesey. What should be my next step? At what stage should I apply for the mortgage with Barclays?
It is normal to have anxieties where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to incur expenses prematurely (mortgage application is approx £1k, then survey, Whittlesey conveyancing search fees, etc). The first thing to do is ensure that your property lawyer is on the Barclays approved list. Regarding the subsequent phase this very much dictated by the specifics of your transaction, motivation for this property and on the state of the market. During a buoyant market some buyers would apply for a home loan with Barclays and pay for the valuation and only if it was satisfactory would they request their conveyancing practitioner to press on with searches.
I am buying my first flat in Whittlesey with the aid of help to buy. The sellers refused to budge the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of fixtures and fittings instead. The sale representative advised me not to tell my conveyancer about the deal as it will put at risk my mortgage with the lender. 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.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a quick, chain free conveyancing. Whittlesey is the location of the property. Can you offer any assistance?
Flying freeholds in Whittlesey are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Whittlesey you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Whittlesey may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.
Last May I purchased a leasehold flat in Whittlesey. Am I liable to pay service charges relating to a period prior to completion of my purchase?
In a situation 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. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure 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).
Leasehold Conveyancing in Whittlesey - Examples of Questions you should ask before Purchasing
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Does the lease have onerous restrictions? Are any of leasehold owners in arrears of their service charge payments? Many Whittlesey leasehold apartments will have a service charge for the upkeep of the block levied by the management company. Where you acquire the apartment you will have to pay this contribution, normally in instalments accross the year. This can differ from two or three hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for large purpose-built buildings. In all likelihood there will be a rentcharge to be met yearly, ordinarily this is not a significant amount, say approximately £50-£100 but you should to enquire as sometimes it can be surprisingly expensive.