I can not work out if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension. I have telephoned my Harmondsworth building society branch on numerous occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My Harmondsworth conveyancing solicitor - who is on the lender conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told they refuse to lend in accordance with their UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook minimum lease term requirements. Who do I believe?
Provided that the solicitor is on the lender approved list, they must follow the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook specifications for the lender. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the mortgage company will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the mortgage company to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.
I had an offer accepted on a property in Harmondsworth on 16/12/2025, valuation was booked 3 days after, received a clean bill of health. Property lawyer retained, so the only thing outstanding was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Principality and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Principality conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Principality to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Principality conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
I've read lots of house buying guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Harmondsworth solicitor - who is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Kent Reliance will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Kent Reliance will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your conveyancer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Harmondsworth postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Kent Reliance, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Harmondsworth.
What will a local search inform me concerning the house we're purchasing in Harmondsworth?
Harmondsworth conveyancing often starts with the ordering local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search company such as Onsearch The local search plays a central role in most Harmondsworth conveyancing purchase; that is if you don’t want any unpleasant once you have moved into your property. The search should provide information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen subject areas.
How does conveyancing in Harmondsworth differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Harmondsworth contact us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is ready to move into. This is because developers in Harmondsworth typically acquire the site, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Harmondsworth or who has acted in the same development.
If all goes to plan we aim to complete the disposal of our £475,000 apartment in Harmondsworth next week. The freeholder has quoted £396 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and 3 years statements of service charge. Is the landlord entitled to charge such fees for a leasehold conveyance in Harmondsworth?
Harmondsworth conveyancing on leasehold flats more often than not necessitates the buyer’s solicitor submitting enquiries for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to respond to these enquiries the majority will be content to do so. They may levy a reasonable administration fee for responding to questions or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average costs for the paperwork that you are referring to is £350, in some cases it is in excess of £800. The management information fee demanded by the landlord must be accompanied by a synopsis of entitlements and obligations in respect of administration fees, without which the invoice is not strictly payable. Reality however dictates that one has little option but to pay whatever is requested of you should you wish to sell the property.
Despite our best endeavours, we have been unsuccessful in trying to purchase the freehold in Harmondsworth. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on premiums?
Most definitely. We can put you in touch with a Harmondsworth conveyancing firm who can help.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement case for a Harmondsworth residence is 164 Nestles Avenue in October 2013. The tribunal agreed with the proposed price of £20,158 for the freehold and determined that that sum is the amount to be paid into court This case related to 2 flats. The unexpired lease term was 69 years.
My mum and dad are unable to locate their Harmondsworth property on the HMLR site. They have a vague recollection back in the 70’s when they bought the house there were complications concerning Harmondsworth not being identified on some systems.
Nearly all premises in Harmondsworth should be revealed. Have you attempted a search to simply the postcode. Normally it should reveal all the properties within that postcode. Assuming the property is recorded it will show up with a title number. If they bought 50 years ago it's conceivable it may be unrecorded. The property could still be revealed but with the title number identified as 'na'. In this scenario you will need to locate the original title papers which may be with your parent’s bank.