Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Blackheath. My lender is The Mortgage Works
The Mortgage Works have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 30/4/2025, the requirements read as follows :
Forgive me if this question is silly but I am unexperienced as FTB of a garden flat in Blackheath. Do I collect the keys to the property on completion from my lawyer? If this is the case, I will instruct a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Blackheath?
There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Conveyancing lawyers for you will arrange to send the completion advance to the owner’s solicitors, and once they have received this, you will be able to pick up the keys from the Estate Agents and move into your new home. This tends to happen early afternoon.
My husband and I are in the throws of viewing flats in Blackheath and I am about to put in an offer. Should I already have a lawyer appointed at this point? I am planning to take a mortgage with Kent Reliance.
You should start obtaining conveyancing estimates from solicitors ASAP. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their contact information on to the estate agent. Given that you are seeking a mortgage with Kent Reliance, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel.
The formalities of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Blackheath. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about the lender. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
All banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Department at head office. Ordinarily complaints to a lender are resolved very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR who will take matters further.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a simple, chain free conveyancing. Blackheath is where the house is located. What do you suggest?
Flying freeholds in Blackheath are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Blackheath you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds diligently. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Blackheath 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 residence.
My husband and I are FTB’s - had an offer accepted, but the agent informed us that the vendor will only move forward if we appoint the agent's chosen conveyancers as they need an ‘expedited deal’. We would rather use a local solicitor who is familiar with conveyancing in Blackheath
It is improbable the vendors are driving this. If they desire ‘a quick sale', turning down a serious purchaser is counter productive. Try to communicate with the sellers directly and make the point that (a)you are serious purchasers (b)you are excited to move forward, with mortgage lined up © you are chain free (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you intend to instruct your own,trusted Blackheath conveyancing firm - not the ones that will provide the estate agent a commission or achieve conveyancing figures pre-set by HQ.
I have recently realised that I have 62 years remaining on my flat in Blackheath. I am keen to extend my lease but my freeholder is absent. What should I do?
If you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the Court. However, you will be required to prove that you or your lawyers have made all reasonable attempts to track down the lessor. On the whole a specialist would be useful to carry out a search and prepare a report to be used as proof that the landlord can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a solicitor both on devolving into the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing Blackheath.
I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord for a lease extension without getting anywhere. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal decide on such issues? Can you recommend a Blackheath conveyancing firm to act on my behalf?
in cases where there is a missing landlord or if there is disagreement about what the lease extension should cost, under the relevant legislation it is possible to make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to make a decision on the price payable.
An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Blackheath flat is 73 Walerand Road in August 2012. the result of the findings of the Tribunal led to a premium to be paid for the extended lease in respect of Flat 73 in the sum of £10,040. The premium applicable in respect of Flat 85 was £5,710. This case affected 2 flats. The unexpired term was 72 years.
What should I expect to pay for conveyancing in Blackheath?
Almost all Blackheath conveyancing practices will charge a standard fee. If further work becomes necessary during the conveyancing your conveyancing practitioner must disclose to you in writing of any extra costs for any work immediately it becomes obvious. Some companies will agree not to render an invoice if a transaction does not go ahead, others will levy an bill for a proportion of the agreed costs, according to the point at which the transaction does not go ahead.
We would recommend that you ask various conveyancers to send you a quotation.