I have 7378 less than 75 years remaining on my lease and require a lease extension for my apartment in Hexham. Conveyancing solicitors on the Tesco Bank panel can deal with such extensions correct?

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. Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 9/9/2025 the requirements read as follows :

How does conveyancing in Hexham differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Hexham contact us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is constructed. This is because house builders in Hexham typically buy the real estate, 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 used to new build conveyancing in Hexham or who has acted in the same development.

I have been on the look out for a ground for flat up to £195,000 and found one round the corner in Hexham I like with amenity areas and transport links in the vicinity, however it only has 49 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Hexham for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a lease with such few years left?

If you require a home loan the shortness of the lease will be a potential deal breaker. Discount the price by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing owner has owned the property for a minimum of 2 years you could request that they commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.

What does commercial conveyancing in Hexham cover?

Hexham conveyancing for business premises covers a wide array of guidance, provided by qualified solicitors, relating to business property. For instance, this area of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more usually, the transfer of existing business tenancies or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial loans and the termination of tenancies.

I have just appointed agents to market my ground floor flat in Hexham. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed, however I have just had a yearly service charge invoice – Do I pay up?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should discharge the service charge as usual because all ground rent and maintenance charges will be allotted on completion, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

Hexham Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should ask before buying

It is important to be aware whether redecorating or some other significant cost is due shortly that will be shared by the leaseholders and could well materially increase the the maintenance charges or result in a one time invoice. Please note that where the lease has fewer than eighty years it will impact the value of the property. It is worth checking with your lender that they are happy with the length of the lease. Leases with fewer than 80 years remaining means that you will most likely have to extend the lease sooner rather than later and it is worth finding out what this would cost. Remember, in most cases you would be be obliged to have owned the residence for a couple of years before you are eligible to extend the lease. It would be wise to discover as much as you can about the managing agents as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you are often in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to every day issues like the upkeep of the communal areas. Enquire of other people whether they are happy with their service. Finally, find out the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the relevant party and precisely what it includes.