I am purchasing a property in Streatham. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. HSBC have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
As you are obtaining a mortgage with HSBC your lawyer must comply with the conveyancing requirements outlined in Part 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for HSBC. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook stipulates minimum provisions for solar panel roof-space leases, and lawyers are required to report to HSBC where a lease fails to meet these provisions. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not isolated to Streatham.
I'm in the throws of viewing flats in Streatham and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it sensible to have my lawyer on ‘stand by’? I intend to finance via a mortgage with HSBC.
You should start obtaining conveyancing estimates from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their details on to the selling agent. Given that you are taking out a mortgage with HSBC, ask your prospective lawyers if they are on the HSBC conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
My offer was accepted on a house in Streatham on 24/3/2026, valuation was booked 3 days after, all came back fine. Solicitor appointed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Lloyds and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Lloyds conveyancing panel. Are Lloyds entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Lloyds to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Lloyds conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
My colleague suggested that where I am purchasing in Streatham I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
A search of this type is usually included in the estimate for your Streatham conveyancing searches. It is a large document of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out important information about Streatham around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information concerning Streatham.
three months have elapsed following my purchase conveyancing in Streatham concluded. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £160,000. Why the discrepancy?
The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the asset from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.
Given that I am about to part with 450k on a terraced house in Streatham I wish to talk to a lawyer concerning theconveyancing ahead of giving the go ahead to the firm. Can this be arranged?
This is something that we recommend - we would be happy to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you speaking to the conveyancer who will be carrying out your conveyancing in Streatham.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is unique person, not a file reference. The law firms that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are quoted for residential conveyancing in Streatham should be the figure that you are charged.
I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to be perfect, at a reasonable figure which is making it more attractive. I have just found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Streatham. Conveyancing solicitors have are about to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Streatham ?
Most houses in Streatham are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are buying in Streatham so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Streatham conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a lessee you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions for example obtaining the freeholder’sconsent to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer will appraise you on the various issues.
I have had difficulty in trying to purchase the freehold in Streatham. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on premiums?
Absolutely. We are happy to put you in touch with a Streatham conveyancing firm who can help.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Streatham residence is Flat 12, Newlands Court Streatham Common North in May 2012. the decision of the Tribunal was that the premium payable by the Applicants to the Respondent for the new lease of the Premises be £70,140. This case affected 1 flat. The unexpired term was 23.25 years.
I am in the process of buying my 1st property in Streatham. Conveyancing solicitor already appointed. The broker pointed out that a survey is not appropriate as the property was only constructed 16 yrs ago.
The bare minimum you need a Home Buyer's Report. Given the property is over ten years old the property will be without a warranty, so you don't want to take a risk. Where a property of this age shows no signs of defects a Home Buyer's report may suffice. They will highlight any obvious problems and recommend additional investigation if relevant. If there are any indications of material issues get a comprehensive structural survey.