I am obtaining a mortgage offer from Halifax. I intend to retain the legal services of a Licensed Conveyancer in Sunbury On Thames. Does the Halifax Conveyancing panel exclude Licensed Conveyancers?

The Halifax approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders, represented by the CML or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

We are a couple about to exchange contracts for a freehold house in Sunbury On Thames. We have hit a problem. The loan offer with Bank of Ireland runs out on 15/10/2025 but the sellers are suggesting a completion date of 17/10/2025. Is it possible to extend the mortgage expiry date?

The person best placed to address this issue is your lawyer who should assess if he or she is corresponding with the mortgage broker, owner’s conveyancers, selling agents or conceivably all three given the circumstances your house move to date.

We are expecting a mortgage offer soon. The lender mentioned the home loan came with free conveyancing. Does this mean I have to instruct their panel conveyancer as I would much rather appoint a local conveyancing solicitor in Sunbury On Thames?

You should check but the the probability is that allocate you one of their panel solicitors should you want the "fee-free" offer. Call the lender to check if they allow a monetary alternative. In the past a few lenders offered a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case that money can go towards your preferred conveyancing solicitor near Sunbury On Thames.

Do I need to be wary that estate agents that I am dealing with are suggesting an internet conveyancing firm rather than a local Sunbury On Thames conveyancing practice?

As is the case with lots of professional services, often input from family and friends can be extremely useful or valuable. But there are many people with a keen interest in a conveyancing deal; estate agents, financial adviser and banks might all suggest solicitors to instruct. On occasion these solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but occasionally there is an underlying financial incentive behind the endorsement. You have the discretion to choose your own conveyancer. However, bear in mind that the majority of lenders specify a panel list of lawyers you have to use for the lender aspect of your house move.

I've recently bought a leasehold property in Sunbury On Thames. Am I liable to pay service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

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. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure 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 own a garden flat in Sunbury On Thames. In the absence of agreement between myself and the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the sum due for a lease extension?

if there is a absentee freeholder or if there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the relevant legislation you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to decide the premium.

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Sunbury On Thames property is 147 Redford Close in June 2012. The Tribunal determined the lease extension premium to be at £4,200 This case affected 1 flat. The number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 82.93 years.