I am about to put a bid on a leasehold flat in Cross Hands. The selling agents tell me that it is standard for flats in Cross Hands to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am taking out a loan with Chelsea Building Society. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 70 years remaining.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing 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 25/10/2025 the requirements read as follows :
Should my solicitor be raising questions regarding flooding as part of the conveyancing in Cross Hands.
The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for lawyers conducting conveyancing in Cross Hands. There are those who buy a house in Cross Hands, completely aware that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, aside from the physical destruction, if a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, adequate insurance cover, or sell the property. There are steps that can be taken as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.
Lawyers are not best placed to offer advice on flood risk, however there are a number of searches that may be undertaken by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which will give them a better understanding of the risks in Cross Hands. The standard completed inquiry forms given to a buyer’s conveyancer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) includes a usual question of the seller to find out if the premises has suffered from flooding. If flooding has previously occurred and is not revealed by the owner, then a buyer could issue a legal claim for losses stemming from an inaccurate response. A buyer’s conveyancers may also commission an enviro search. This should reveal if there is any known flood risk. If so, more detailed investigations should be made.
How does conveyancing in Cross Hands differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Cross Hands approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is completed. This is because builders in Cross Hands usually purchase the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Cross Hands or who has acted in the same development.
Given that I will soon part with over three hundred thousand on a house in Cross Hands I would like to talk to a solicitor regarding thetransaction before appointing the firm. Can this be arranged?
We could not agree more - we would be happy to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you liaising with the lawyer due to be doing your conveyancing in Cross Hands.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is an important person, not a case reference. The practices that we put you in touch with believe that the fees you are provided with for your conveyancing in Cross Hands should be the figure that you are charged.
Is it best to appoint a Cross Hands conveyancing practitioner who is local to the property I am hoping to buy? We have a good friend who can execute the legal formalities however they are based over three hundred kilometers away.
The benefit of a high street Cross Hands conveyancing practice is that you can drop in to sign documents, hand in your ID and apply pressure on them if necessary. They will also have local knowledge which is a benefit. However it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If other friends have used your friend and the majority were happy that should trump using an unknown Cross Hands conveyancing lawyer just because they are local.