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

Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 24/11/2025, the requirements read as follows :

The deeds to my property are lost. The lawyers who did the conveyancing in New Malden 5 years ago no longer exist. Will I be able to sell the house?

Assuming the title is registered the information relating to your proprietorship will be retained by HMLR under a Title Number. It is easy to execute a search at the Land Registry, find your property and get up to date copies of the property title for less than a fiver. If the title is Leasehold then the Land Registry will usually hold a file duplicate of the Registered Lease and again, a copy can be obtained for a small fee.

How does conveyancing in New Malden differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build property in New Malden approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because builders in New Malden typically acquire 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 property lawyers 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 New Malden or who has acted in the same development.

I’m about to sell my garden apartment in New Malden. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed, but I have recently received a quarterly service charge demand – what should I do?

The sensible thing to do is pay the maintenance contribution as usual as all rents and service charges will be apportioned on completion, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies 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.

I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord to extend my lease without success. Can I make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a New Malden conveyancing firm to help?

Most certainly. We are happy to put you in touch with a New Malden conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a New Malden flat is Flat D 15 Claremont Gardens in September 2013. TheTribunal determined in accordance with section48 and Schedule13 of the Leasehold Reform,Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 that the premium for the extended lease should be fourteen thousand one hundred and eighty seven pounds (£14,187.00) This case related to 1 flat.

Living abroad it is not practicable to attend my New Malden conveyancing practitioners office to sign documents for conveyancing in New Malden – will this be problematic?

No. New Malden conveyancing solicitors can conduct home moves for clients nationwide. It is not necessary for you to be able to visit a New Malden conveyancers office. They can undertake all communications via phone, post and email - whatever works for you.