Our Whitchurch solicitor has identified an inconsistency when comparing the surveyor’s assumptions in the home valuation survey and what is revealed within the legal papers for the property. My lawyer informs me that he must ensure that the lender is OK with this discrepancy and is content to go ahead. Is my solicitor’s course or action appropriate?

Your conveyancer must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for both parties.

I am looking for a ground for flat up to £245,000 and identified one close by in Whitchurch I like with a park and railway links nearby, however it only has 52 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Whitchurch suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?

If you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term will be problematic. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you can ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer about this matter.

My father-in-law has encouraged me to appoint his conveyancers in Whitchurch. Should I use them?

No doubt the ideal way to select a conveyancing practitioner is to seek feedback from friends or family who have experience in using the firm that you are are thinking of instructing.

I am on look out for some leasehold conveyancing in Whitchurch. Before I get started I want to be sure as to the remaining lease term.

Assuming the lease is registered - and almost all are in Whitchurch - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title. For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.

Whitchurch Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Queries before Purchasing

The prefered form of lease arrangement is a share of the freehold. In this arrangement the lessees benefit from being in charge if their destiny and notwithstanding that a managing agent is often retained if it is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent employed by the leaseholders. It would be sensible to discover as much as possible regarding the company managing the building as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. As the owner of a leasehold property you are frequently in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to day to day matters like the upkeep of the common parts. You should not be afraid to ask other tenants if they are happy with their management. In conclusion, investigate as to the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the appropriate party and specifically what it includes. Who is in charge of the block?

Our lawyer in Whitchurch has identified a a problem with the lease for the property we are buying in Whitchurch. The seller’s lawyers have offered defective title insurance as a solution. We are happy with insurance and will cover the costs. Our solicitor says that as he is on the bank conveyancing panel he must ensure that the lender is happy with this solution. Are we the client or is the lender?

Just because you have a mortgage offer from the mortgage company does not mean to say that the property will be meet their requirements for the purposes of a mortgage. Your Whitchurch conveyancing lawyer has to ensure that the lease has to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Requirements. You and the mortgage company are the client. These conveyancing instructions must be adhered to by the mortgage company conveyancing panel who has to balance acting for you and the bank