Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Knottingley. My lender is Platform
Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 6/10/2025, the requirements read as follows :
Is it the case that all Knottingley conveyancing solicitors on the RBS conveyancing panel are overseen by the SRA?
As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the RBS conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the SRA. The majority of lenders do list licenced conveyancers on their panel and in such a situation the practice would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
I am purchasing a property in Knottingley. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Nationwide be concerned?
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Nationwide your lawyer must follow the conveyancing requirements outlined in Section 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Nationwide. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook includes minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and lawyers are required to report to Nationwide where a lease fails to comply with these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not isolated to Knottingley.
The mortgage over my property is with Lloyds for my property in Knottingley. Conveyancing was finalised a year ago. If I am intending to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform Lloyds?
Lloyds must be informed of your intention prior to renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Lloyds’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Lloyds will permit you to let out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Lloyds directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Lloyds conveyancing panel firm.
I have been told that property searches are the number one cause of hinderance in Knottingley conveyancing transactions. Is there any truth in this?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) has noted the determinations of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the top 10 causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are unlikely to feature in any delay in conveyancing in Knottingley.
Over the last few months I have been searching for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and found one near me in Knottingley I like with open areas and station in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 51 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Knottingley for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?
Should you require a mortgage that many years will likely be problematic. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you may ask them to 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.
I am looking for a conveyancing lawyer in Knottingley for my remortgage. Is it possible to see a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?
Members of the public can see published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from inquisitions started on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may monitor call for training purposes.