My wife and I are only a couple days away from an exchange on a house in Radcliffe on Trent and my parents have sent the 10% deposit to my property lawyer. I am now advised that as the deposit has not arrived from me my lawyer needs to disclose this to my lender. I am advised that, in also acting for the lender he must inform them that the balance of the purchase price is coming from anyone other than me. I disclosed to the lender regarding my parents' contribution when I applied for the mortgage, so is it really appropriate for him to raise this?

Your lawyer is obliged to clarify with the bank to ensure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. The solicitor can only disclose this to your lender if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.

I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Radcliffe on Trent. 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 :

Taking into account that I will soon part with £400,000 on a two bedroom apartment in Radcliffe on Trent I would like to have a conversation with the conveyancer concerning thehome move ahead of appointing the firm. Can this be arranged?

This is something that we recommend - it is our preference to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you first talking to the solicitor who will be doing your conveyancing in Radcliffe on Trent.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is an important person, not a matter number. The law firms that we put you in touch with believe that the fees you are calculated and presented to you for residential conveyancing in Radcliffe on Trent should be the amount on the final invoice that you are charged.

Am I better off to use a Radcliffe on Trent conveyancing lawyer in close proximity to the house I am hoping to buy? An old friend can perform the legal formalities but her office is 200kilometers away.

The primary upside of using a high street Radcliffe on Trent conveyancing practice is that you can pop in to execute documents, deliver your ID and pester them where appropriate. Having local Radcliffe on Trent know how is a bonus. However nothing is more important than finding someone that will do a good and efficient job. If other friends have instructed your friend and they were content that must surpass using an unknown Radcliffe on Trent conveyancing lawyer just because they are local.

Last May I purchased a leasehold property in Radcliffe on Trent. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before my ownership?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner 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. A critical element 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).

I purchased a studio flat in Radcliffe on Trent, conveyancing having been completed in 2011. Can you let me have an estimated range of the fair premium for a lease extension? Similar properties in Radcliffe on Trent with a long lease are worth £185,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £65 invoiced annually. The lease expires on 21st October 2085

With 60 years unexpired the likely cost is going to range between £20,000 and £23,000 as well as legals.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to advice on a more accurate figure without more comprehensive investigations. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt additional issues that need to be taken into account and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.