We previously chose conveyancers located in Berwick Upon Tweed on the Skipton solicitor approved list. They have just invoiced me a supplemental sum for handling the Skipton mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee set by Skipton?
As unfair as it may appear, as long as it’s in their Terms of Engagement or estimate then yes your lawyer can charge a fee for this. The fee is not set by Skipton but by your Berwick Upon Tweed solicitor. Plenty of firms on the Skipton panel will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.
I am selling my apartment. I had a double glazing fitted in April 2010, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s mortgage company, Barclays are being difficult. The Berwick Upon Tweed solicitor who is on the Barclays conveyancing panel is happy to accept ‘lack of building regulation’ insurance but Barclays are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do Barclays have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that Barclays have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Barclays may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing was correctly and safely installed. The indemnity insurance merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.
Santander have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on a flat in Berwick Upon Tweed has been accepted, what happens next?
Your estate agent will wish to know who your solicitors are (ensure that the property lawyers are on the bank’s approved list). Call up Santander or your broker and finish off any appropriate forms. Santander will instruct a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or seller to arrange a slot for the valuation to occur. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about ten days for the mortgage offer to be issued. Santander will issue the offer to you and your property lawyers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Berwick Upon Tweed.
How does conveyancing in Berwick Upon Tweed differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Berwick Upon Tweed come to us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is built. This is because house builders in Berwick Upon Tweed typically acquire 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 property lawyers 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 Berwick Upon Tweed or who has acted in the same development.
I opted to have a survey completed on a property in Berwick Upon Tweed in advance of instructing lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. My surveyor advised that some banks may not grant a mortgage on such a home.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different instructions from Nationwide. If you e-mail us we can look into this further via the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Berwick Upon Tweed. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing practitioner in Berwick Upon Tweed for my purchase. Is it possible to see a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?
You can find presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from inquisitions commenced on or after 1 January 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For information about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors record, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator could recorded telephone calls for training requirements.
Last April I purchased a leasehold flat in Berwick Upon Tweed. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before my ownership?
Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure 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).
Berwick Upon Tweed Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing
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This question is helpful as a) areas could cause problems in the block as the communal areas may start to deteriorate where services remain unpaid b) if the tenants have a dispute with the managing agents you will want to have all the details Who takes charge for maintaining and repairing the building? Does the lease have onerous restrictions?
I have just found out that one of the directors of the conveyancing practice handling the purchase conveyancing in Berwick Upon Tweed is an aunty of the seller. Is this permitted?
As long as there is no conflict of interest this is permitted. Where you are needing mortgage finance then the bank may have a say as many mortgage companies have specific requirements on this. For example for Skipton Building Society as of 29/10/2025, the requirements read as follows :