I can't travel far from Ravenscourt Park. What is the rationale as to why all Ravenscourt Park property lawyers aren't automatically on all mortgage company panels?
Even though it may seem unfair for banks to limit who can represent them, from the public’s or solicitor’s standpoint, the the contrary view is that lenders are becoming ever more anxious and regard it vital to defend themselves from mortgage fraud. As a result of this concern lenders have consolidated their conveyancing panel to a size that they are happy to control.
I am about to put a bid on a leasehold apartment in Ravenscourt Park. The property agents assure me that it is usual for flats in Ravenscourt Park to have less than 75 years remaining. I am getting a mortgage with Accord Mortgages. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 72 years unexpired.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are getting a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 10/12/2025 the requirements read as follows :
When it comes to lenders such as Aldermore, do Ravenscourt Park conveyancing practitioners have to pay an annual charge to be on the list of approved solicitors?
We are not aware of any mortgage company fees to register on their list of approved firms, although some do levy an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.
Completion of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Ravenscourt Park. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I would like to complain about the lender. How does one go about formally complaining?
All banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Team at head office. In most cases complaints to a lender are resolved very quickly. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.
I've digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Ravenscourt Park solicitor - who is on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Clydesdale will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Clydesdale will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Ravenscourt Park surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
I need some fast conveyancing in Ravenscourt Park as I am under pressure to sign on the dotted line within 2 weeks. A mortgage is not required. Can I escape the need for conveyancing searches to save fees and time?
As you are are a mortgage free buyer you are at liberty not to have searches conducted although no law firm would suggest that you don't. With lots of history conveyancing in Ravenscourt Park the following are instances of issues that can arise and adversely impact market value: Enforcement Notices, Outstanding Charges, Outstanding Grants, Unadopted Roads,...
My husband and I are first time buyers - had an offer accepted, but the selling agent informed us that the vendor will only go ahead if we instruct the agent's chosen conveyancers as they are insisting on an ‘expedited deal’. We would rather use a local solicitor with experience of conveyancing in Ravenscourt Park
We suspect that the seller is not behind this requirement. If they desire ‘a quick sale', turning down a motivated buyer is not the way to achieve this. Speak to the vendors direct and make the point that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to progress, with mortgage lined up © you are chain free (d) you wish to move quickly (e)however you intend to use your preferred Ravenscourt Park conveyancing solicitors - rather thanthe ones that will earn their negotiator at the agency a kickback or meet his conveyancing targets pre-set by HQ.
I own a leasehold flat in Ravenscourt Park. Conveyancing was completed in 2010. I have been told that I mustn’t let the lease length fall too short. Is this correct?
Ravenscourt Park leasehold properties are for a set period - normally ninety nine years when they started. However a significant appartments in Ravenscourt Park were built or converted in the 60’s and so these leases now have fewer than eighty years unexpired. That may seem like plenty of time but Banks, Building Societies and other mortgage companies on the whole need leases to have at least seventy five years left to be mortgageable. This means that when you come to sell the property you will need a lease extension if you are getting close to 75 years. To increase the marketability of your property you should be thinking about whether or not to extend your lease well in advance of selling the property. Furthermore strong financial reasons to doing so before the lease hits eighty years as when the lease falls below 80 years the amount you have to pay to extend starts to escalate.