I am about to put an offer on a leasehold property in Tunstall. The estate agents say that it is normal for flats in Tunstall to have less than 75 years remaining. I am getting a mortgage with Chelsea Building Society. Is this going to be acceptable if the lease has Seventy One years left.

Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are getting a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 8/10/2025 the requirements read as follows :

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I put an offer in two weeks back in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Tunstall is the location of the property. Is there any guidance you can give?

Flying freeholds in Tunstall are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Tunstall you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Tunstall may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.

I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing solicitor in Tunstall for my house move. Is it possible to see a firm’s complaints history with the legal regulator?

One can review presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find records about the period before 1 January 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, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA may monitor call for training requirements.

I am a negotiator for a long established estate agency in Tunstall where we have experienced a number of leasehold sales derailed as a result of leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have been given inconsistent advice from local Tunstall conveyancing firms. Could you shed some light as to whether the owner of a flat can start the lease extension process for the buyer?

As long as the seller has owned the lease for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the proposed purchaser can avoid having to sit tight for 2 years to extend their lease. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed before, or at the same time as completion of the sale.

Alternatively, it may be possible to agree the lease extension with the freeholder either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the buyer.

I invested in buying a 2 bed flat in Tunstall, conveyancing formalities finalised in 2007. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Corresponding flats in Tunstall with an extended lease are worth £222,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 levied per year. The lease comes to an end on 21st October 2096

With 71 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £9,500 and £11,000 plus professional fees.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs without more comprehensive due diligence. Do not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt additional issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward based on this information before getting professional advice.

Am in the process of purchasing my 1st home in Tunstall. Conveyancing solicitor has been instructed. The financial consultant suggested that a survey is not necessary as the house was only built in 2002.

As the bare minimum you need a Home Buyer's Report. Given the residence is more than ten years old the property will not benefit from a warranty, so you would be well advised not to take a risk. For a property that age with no signs of problems a Home Buyer's report could be enough. They will highlight any obvious issues and recommend further investigation where appropriate. If there are any signs of material issues obtain a full structural survey.