Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Urmston. My lender is Nationwide Building Society

Nationwide Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 14/10/2025, the requirements read as follows :

Should my solicitor be asking questions regarding flooding during the conveyancing in Urmston.

Flooding is a growing risk for lawyers conducting conveyancing in Urmston. There are those who acquire a house in Urmston, completely aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical damage, if a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, satisfactory building insurance, or sell the property. Steps can be carried out during the course of a house purchase to forewarn the buyer.

Solicitors are not qualified to offer advice on flood risk, however there are a numerous checks that can be initiated by the buyer or by their lawyers which can figure out the risks in Urmston. The standard property information forms sent to a purchaser’s lawyer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) incorporates a standard inquiry of the owner to discover if the property has ever been flooded. If flooding has previously occurred and is not disclosed by the vendor, then a buyer could bring a claim for damages stemming from an inaccurate reply. A buyer’s lawyers should also order an environmental search. This will reveal whether there is a recorded flood risk. If so, additional investigations should be made.

Me and my brother have a semi-detached Edwardian property in Urmston. Conveyancing solicitor acted for me and TSB. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw two entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold under the exact same address. Is it worth asking TSB to clarify?

You need to review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Urmston and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also enquire as to the position with your conveyancing lawyer who completed the work.

How does conveyancing in Urmston differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Urmston contact us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is built. This is because new home sellers in Urmston typically buy the site, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Urmston or who has acted in the same development.

What advice can you give us when it comes to appointing a Urmston conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Urmston conveyancing practice) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We suggest that you talk with several firms including non Urmston conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions might be helpful:

How many lease extensions has the firm carried out in Urmston in the last twenty four months?

Leasehold Conveyancing in Urmston - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

What prohibitions are there in the Urmston Lease? How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their service charge payments?