I am getting a mortgage offer from Santander. I intend to employ the services of a Licensed Conveyancer in West Acton. Does the Santander Conveyancing panel include conveyancers regulated by the CLC?

The Santander conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders, represented by the CML or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

I am about to put an offer on a leasehold apartment in West Acton. The selling agents advise that it is the norm for flats in West Acton to have less than 75 years remaining. I am expecting a loan with Bank of Ireland. Is this going to be acceptable if the lease has 72 years to go.

Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 11/11/2025 the requirements read as follows :

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in West Acton?

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in West Acton. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

My father-in-law has suggested that I use his lawyers for conveyancing in West Acton. Should I use them?

Much as we are happy to recommend a West Acton conveyancing lawyer the best way to select a conveyancing solicitor is to have referrals from friends or family who have actually used the conveyancer that you are contemplating using.

Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in West Acton from the point of view of expediting the sale process?

• Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in West Acton can be bypassed if you appoint lawyers as soon as your agents start advertising the property and ask them to put together the leasehold information which will be required by the purchasers’ conveyancers.
The majority of freeholders or managing agents in West Acton levy fees for providing management packs for a leasehold home. You or your lawyers should find out the actual amount of the charges. The management information can be applied for on or before finding a buyer, thus accelerating the process. The average time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most usual cause of delay in leasehold conveyancing in West Acton. If there is a history of conflict with your landlord or managing agents it is essential that these are settled prior to the flat being put on the market. The buyers and their solicitors will be nervous about purchasing a property where there is an ongoing dispute. You may have to bite the bullet and discharge any arrears of service charge or settle the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled prior to the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You are still duty bound to disclose details of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is better to present the dispute as historic rather than unresolved. In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s approval? Have you, for example laid down wooden flooring? West Acton leases often stipulate that internal structural changes or installing wooden flooring calls for a licence issued by the Landlord approving such changes. Should you dont have the approvals in place do not contact the landlord without checking with your lawyer first. You may think that you are aware of the number of years left on your lease but it would be advisable double-check by asking your conveyancers. A purchaser's lawyer will be unlikely to recommend their client to to exchange contracts if the remaining number of years is less than 75 years. In the circumstances it is essential at an as soon as possible that you consider whether the lease term for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

I acquired a leasehold flat in West Acton, conveyancing was carried out March 1999. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Equivalent flats in West Acton with a long lease are worth £191,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £55 invoiced annually. The lease ceases on 21st October 2079

With 54 years remaining on your lease we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £31,400 and £36,200 as well as plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs in the absence of detailed investigations. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.