I am hoping to complete my purchase in Plymouth next Friday. My property lawyer now wants me to supply her with proof of content and building insurance for the property as he says that he has to check this in his capacity as lawyer for the mortgage company. What risks does the bank expect the insurance to cover?

Any lawyer on acting for lenders would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s Part 2 instructions. These obligations are not limited to conveyancing in Plymouth.

Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Plymouth. My lender is Bank of Ireland

Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 11/8/2025, the requirements read as follows :

I decided to have a survey carried out on a property in Plymouth prior to instructing solicitors. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor has said that some lenders tend refuse to give a loan on such a property.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different requirements from Nationwide. Should you wish to call us we can check with the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Plymouth. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Plymouth to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

I've recently bought a leasehold property in Plymouth. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Plymouth Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

Generally speaking the outlay for major works are not built into the maintenance charges, although a few managing agents in Plymouth require leasehold owners to pay into a reserve fund and this is used to offset against larger works. Please inform me if there are any major works on the horizon that will increase the maintenance charges? If a Plymouth lease has fewer than 80 years it will impact the marketability of the flat. Check with your bank that they are content with remaining years on the lease. Leases with fewer than 80 years remaining means that you will probably need a lease extension at some point and it is worth discovering what this will be. For most Plymouthlease extensions you would be required to have been the owner of the residence for two years before you are eligible to extend the lease.

Is there a distinction between surveying and conveyancing in Plymouth?

Conveyancing - in Plymouth or anywhere in England and Wales - is the process of legally transferring legal title of property from one person to another. It therefore includes the checking of the title. Whether buying or selling, you should be aware of anything affecting the property such as proposals by government departments, illegal buildings, or outstanding rates. The conveyancer should conduct the appropriate searches and inquiries on the property. Surveying relates to the structure of a property itself. A surveyor will look at a house, flat and any outbuildings you are purchasing and will help you discover the condition of the building and, if there are problems, give you leverage for negotiating the buying price down or asking the seller to fix the defects prior to you move in.