I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Port Talbot. My lender is Tesco Bank
Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 15/11/2025, the requirements read as follows :
Can I be sure that the Port Talbot conveyancing solicitor on the Principality panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in Port Talbot getting recommendations is a sensible starting point. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always advocate that you speak with the solicitor handling your transaction.
We are getting the release of further funds on our mortgage from Lloyds as we wish to conduct alterations to our house in Port Talbot. Do we need to choose a bricks and mortar Port Talbot solicitor on the Lloyds conveyancing panel to handle the legals?
Lloyds do not ordinarily appoint firms on their approved list of lawyers to deal with such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Lloyds panel.
I have finally had an offer on a flat in Port Talbot agreed to, but there is a chain. The vendors have offered on somewhere, however it’s not been accepted yet, and are looking at other flats in the pipeline. I have instructed a bricks and mortar conveyancing solicitor in Port Talbot. What should be my next step? When do I get the mortgage application with Santander going?
It is usual to have apprehensions where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to incur costs prematurely (mortgage application is approx £1k, then survey, Port Talbot conveyancing search fees, etc). The first course of action is to ensure that your lawyer is on the Santander conveyancing panel. Concerning the next steps this very much depends on the uniqueness of your transaction, desire for the property and on the state of the market. During a hot market the majority of home buyers will apply for the mortgage with Santander and arrange for the valuation and only if it was satisfactory would they pay their property lawyer to proceed with searches.
My friend suggested that if I am buying in Port Talbot I should ask my conveyancer to perform a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
This is a search is occasionally quoted for as part of the standard Port Talbot conveyancing searches. It is a large report of about 40 pages, listing and setting out significant information about Port Talbot around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Port Talbot Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Port Talbot Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information about Port Talbot.
How does conveyancing in Port Talbot differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Port Talbot approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is built. This is because new home sellers in Port Talbot tend to buy the land, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Port Talbot or who has acted in the same development.
Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Port Talbot ahead of retaining solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. Our surveyor has said that some mortgage companies may refuse to give a mortgage on such a house.
It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different requirements for example to Nationwide. Should you wish to telephone us we can check via the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Port Talbot. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Port Talbot to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.
My uncle has encouraged me to appoint his lawyers for conveyancing in Port Talbot. Do I take his guidance?
Much as we are happy to recommend a Port Talbot conveyancing lawyer it’s preferable to select a conveyancing lawyer is to seek feedback from friends or relatives who have experience in using the conveyancer you're contemplating using.