I plan on acquiring a flat in Launceston. My property lawyer is not on the mortgage company conveyancing list. Can I still appoint my Launceston conveyancing solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the bank approved list?
You have a number of options available to you here
- Carry on with your preferred Launceston lawyer but your mortgage company will undoubtedly appoint a conveyancing practitioner from their conveyancing panel. The net result is additional fees and likely interruption.
- Choose a fresh conveyancing practitioner to conduct the conveyancing, obviously checking they are on the mortgage company conveyancing panel.
- Convince your lawyer to pull out all the stops to join the lender’s panel of solicitors
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Launceston. My lender is Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 27/9/2025, the requirements read as follows :
I purchased a terraced Edwardian house in Launceston. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and TSB. I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw two entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same address. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?
You need to assess 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 owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Launceston and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also enquire as to the position with the conveyancing solicitor who conducted the work.
How does conveyancing in Launceston differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Launceston come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because new home sellers in Launceston usually purchase 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 conveyancers 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Launceston or who has acted in the same development.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what should have been a quick, no chain conveyancing. Launceston is the location of the property. Can you offer any guidance?
Flying freeholds in Launceston are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Launceston you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Launceston may ascertain 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 property.
Back In 2001, I bought a leasehold flat in Launceston. Conveyancing and Accord Mortgages Ltd mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1998. The conveyancing practitioner in Launceston who previously acted has long since retired. What should I do?
First contact the Land Registry to make sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. You do not need to incur the fees of a Launceston conveyancing solicitor to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. You should note that in any event, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.
I inherited a garden flat in Launceston, conveyancing was carried out half a dozen years ago. How much will my lease extension cost? Equivalent flats in Launceston with over 90 years remaining are worth £186,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £55 invoiced annually. The lease runs out on 21st October 2077
You have 52 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £29,500 and £34,000 as well as costs.
The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to advice on the actual costs without more detailed due diligence. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other issues that need to be taken into account and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.