Me and my fiancee are buying our first house. The conveyancing practitioner has e-mailedto ask if we want to order extra conveyancing searches. We are really unsure what's relevant for conveyancing in Barnstaple

The number and type of Barnstaple conveyancing searches should be triggered based entirely on the premises, the location, the likelihood of any of these risks, your knowledge of the region and risks, your overall appetite to risk. What is important is that you properly comprehend what information the searches could provide. Then you can decide if you consider that you need that information. If unclear, ask your lawyer to advise.

I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Barnstaple. My lender is Tesco Bank

Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 23/9/2025, the requirements read as follows :

I am purchasing a 3 bedroom semi in Barnstaple. The intention is to an extension at the rear at the house.Will the conveyancing process include checks to ascertain if these works are prohibited?

Your property lawyer should review the deeds as conveyancing in Barnstaple can on occasion reveal restrictions in the title deeds which restrict certain alterations or need the consent of a 3rd party. Some extensions require local authority planning permissions and approval in compliance with building regulations. Certain areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. It would be prudent to check these things with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.

Can you point me to a directory of Virgin Money panel conveyancers in Barnstaple on the Building Society Association’s Website?

No. There is no such tool on the CML or Building Society Association websites. A small selection of lending institutions make their panel listings viewable online. Where you are in need of a Barnstaple lawyer on the Virgin Money please use our facility.

We had selected solicitors located in Barnstaple on the TSB solicitor approved list. They are now charging me a further sum for handling the TSB mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee specified by TSB?

Provided it is contained in their Terms of Engagement or Quote then yes your conveyancer is entitled to levy a fee for this. This fee is not set by TSB but by your Barnstaple conveyancing practitioner. Plenty of firms on the TSB panel will levy an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.

I need to find a conveyancing solicitor for purchase conveyancing in Barnstaple. I've land on a site which looks to be the ideal answer If it is possible to get all formalities done via email that would be ideal. Should I be wary? What should out be looking out for?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to be perfect, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently found out that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Barnstaple. Conveyancing advisers have not yet been appointed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Barnstaple ?

The majority of houses in Barnstaple are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area who can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Barnstaple so you should seriously consider looking for a Barnstaple conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the freeholder’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the property is located on an estate. Your solicitor will report to you on the legal implications.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Barnstaple - A selection of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

Plenty Barnstaple leasehold properties will incur a service charge for maintenance of the building levied on behalf of the management company. Should you acquire the property you will have to meet this contribution, normally periodically during the year. This can be anything from a couple of hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for blocks with lifts and large common grounds. There will also be a rentcharge to be met yearly, ordinarily this is not a exorbitant sum, say approximately £25-£75 but you need to enquire as on occasion it can be many hundreds of pounds. Please note if it is no more than eighty years it will have adverse implications on the value of the apartment. It is worth checking with your bank that they are content with residual term of the lease. Leases with fewer than 80 years remaining means that you will most likely require a lease extension at some point and you need to have some idea of what this will be. Remember, in most cases you would need to own the premises for two years in order to be eligible to extend the lease. Who takes responsibility for maintaining and repairing the building?