Find a Lender-Approved Local Conveyancer in Streatham

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You can try and find the cheapest conveyancing solicitors in Streatham but be careful as you may get what you pay for.

Reasons to use our Streatham conveyancing solicitors

  • 1 Our site is the first site that enables you the facility to ensure that your property ownership legalities in Streatham will be conducted by a conveyancer on your mortgage lender’s conveyancing panel.
  • 2 Conveyancer conveyancing lawyers have extremely good personal links with Streatham estate agents and work very closely with them and local surveyors so as to ensure transactions proceed expeditiously.
  • 3 Streatham conveyancing lawyers are likely to have connections at the local Land Registry Office, Local Authority and property agents
  • 4 The hallmark of our conveyancing solicitors in Streatham is quality not quantity. The level of service offered by conveyancing "factories" (sometimes 'recommended' by national chain estate agents) sometimes falls short of the high standards of professionalism you would hope for.
  • 5 Streatham conveyancer are the key to a successful Streatham conveyancing experience, keeping the process under control. They are on your side throughout, offering dedicated advice for the duration of your move

Examples of recent conveyancing in Streatham since February 2023*

Recently asked questions about conveyancing in Streatham

My fiance’s sister is a conveyancing practitioner. I hope that I'll be able to get friends and family rates for conveyancing, but if not, what level of figure would I typically be looking at for conveyancing in Streatham?

Do compare pricing. Do use our comparison tool on this page. The amounts seem to vary but the service one can expect are distinct between conveyancers as is true with the vast majority of professional services.

All was ready to move into my new home in Streatham next Tuesday. My conveyancing practitioner now wants me to supply her with evidence of content and building insurance for the property as he says that he has to check this in his capacity as lawyer for the mortgage company. What does the insurance need to cover?

Any lawyer on acting for banks would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s Part 2 requirements. These obligations are not unique to conveyancing in Streatham.

About to place an offer on a leasehold flat in Streatham. The selling agents assure me that it is standard for flats in Streatham to have less than 75 years remaining. I am obtaining a mortgage with The Mortgage Works. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 69 years left.

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. The Mortgage Works have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 28/5/2023 the requirements read as follows :

Minimum unexpired lease term is 70 years with 30 years remaining at the end of the mortgage term.
Where the unexpired lease term is different to that recorded on the mortgage offer, the following clarifies if we need to be informed:

Second hand property:
- If the unexpired lease term on the offer is 85 years or more - only advise us if the actual lease term is less than 85 years
- if the unexpired lease term on the offer is less than 85 years – advise us if the actual lease term is different than reported
- For equity share applications - advise us if the actual lease term is different than reported on the offer

New build property:
- If the unexpired lease term stated on the offer is 125 years (flat) / 250 years (house) or more - only advise us if the actual lease term is less than 125 years (flat) / 250 years (house)
- For equity share applications - always advise us if the actual lease term is different than reported on the offer

Lease terms such as ground rent and event fees must be reasonable at all times during the term of the lease and adhere to our requirements below. If you’re unsure as to whether the terms of a lease are unreasonable or onerous, please refer the details to us in plain English for Valuer consideration. If the potentially onerous terms are in relation to the ground rent please include the current ground rent figure per annum, how often it will be reviewed and the price structure it will be reviewed against. See the guidance below.

SECOND HAND PROPERTIES

Unacceptable - advise Issuing Office (Will be declined):
- Unexpired lease term less than 70 years
- Less than 30 years remaining at the end of the mortgage term
- Ground Rent greater than 0.5% of the property value
- Ground Rent doubles less than every 20 years (e.g. doubles every 5, 10 or 15 years) - acceptable if doubles every 20 years or more
- Ground Rent is compounded RPI
- Ground Rent review period less than or equal to 5 years

Refer to Issuing Office (Valuer will consider any impact on valuation figure and marketability):
- Unexpired lease term is 70 to 85 years
- Ground Rent greater than 0.1% and less than or equal to 0.5% of the property value
- Ground Rent escalation is linked to any indices greater than RPI
- Ground Rent escalation is linked to the value of the building*
- Ground Rent review period is greater than 5 and less than 10 years
- Event clauses exist for normal use e.g. changing the carpet, installing a TV aerial etc
- Estate Rent Charges greater than £500 p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover)
- Service Charges greater than 0.5% of property value p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover)
- Anything that appears onerous, unusual or out of the ordinary

Acceptable (no requirement to advise Issuing Office):
- Unexpired lease term greater than 85 years
- Ground Rent less than or equal to 0.1% of the property value
- Ground Rent review period greater than or equal to 10 years
- Ground Rent escalation less than or equal to RPI

NEW BUILD PROPERTIES (includes office conversions)

Unacceptable - advise Issuing Office (will be declined):
- Unexpired lease term less than 125 years on a new build flat or less than 250 years on a new build house
- Any lease which is subject to a ground rent (or annual rent) being charged which is more than on a peppercorn basis
- Any lease which is subject to a ground rent (or annual rent) being reviewed and altered on any review basis or methodology

Refer to Issuing Office (Valuer will consider any impact on valuation figure and marketability):
- Event clauses exist for normal use e.g. changing the carpet, installing a TV aerial etc
- Estate Rent Charges greater than £500 p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover)
- Service Charges greater than 0.5% of property value p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover)
- Anything else appears onerous, unusual or out of the ordinary

Acceptable (no requirement to advise Issuing Office):
- Unexpired lease term greater than or equal to 125 years on a new build flat or greater than or equal to 250 years on a new build house
- A lease subject to a peppercorn ground rent (annual rent) charges

For the avoidance of doubt, any new build properties completed but not sold pre 30 June 2022 will only be acceptable if the lease conforms to the above guidance

* Where the Ground Rent escalation is linked to the value of the building, please provide the following:
- How is the value of the block/unit currently calculated and if the assessment relates to the block(s), how is the Ground Rent calculated/apportioned per property?
- The current valuation and Ground Rent for each unit
- What is the mechanism for future valuations of the block and how is the Ground Rent calculated/apportioned?
- What is the right of appeal? And is this a documented process within the lease?
- Who bears the cost of the valuation (and appeal) process?
- Confirmation the review period is not less than twenty years

LEASE EXTENSIONS

We require all lease extensions to be completed under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 and to meet the above criteria as a minimum. Where you become aware that it does not meet these requirements, please refer to the Issuing Office

How does conveyancing in Streatham differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Streatham come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is built. This is because new home sellers in Streatham typically buy the real estate, 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 Streatham or who has acted in the same development.

Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Streatham before appointing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the house. The surveyor advised that some lenders will refuse to grant a loan on this type of property.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different instructions from Halifax. If you contact us we can check via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Streatham. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Streatham. Conveyancing and Nationwide Building Society mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1998. The conveyancing solicitor in Streatham who previously acted has long since retired. Do I pay?

First make enquiries of HMLR to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to incur the fees of a Streatham conveyancing firm to do this as it can be done on-line for £3. You should note that in any event, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord to extend my lease without any joy. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on such issues? Can you recommend a Streatham conveyancing firm to act on my behalf?

Where there is a absentee freeholder or where there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to determine the premium.

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.

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Commercial Conveyancing solicitors in Streatham regulated by the SRA

The firms listed below are a non-comprehensive list of solicitors in Streatham specialising in commercial conveyancing in Streatham. This could include advice on complex issues under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1954
  • Goodwin & Co, 22 Sunnyhill Road, London, SW16 2UH
  • Dexter Henry & Co, 233 Streatham High Road, London, SW16 6EN
  • Azam Khan & Co Solicitors, 61 Leigham Court Road, Streatham Hill, London, SW16 2NJ
  • Strasons, 260 Mitcham Lane, London, SW16 6NU
  • John Williamson Ltd, 55 Carminia Road, London, SW17 8AJ

Residential Licensed Conveyancers in Streatham regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers

Please note that the listed conveyancers do not limit their work for conveyancing in Streatham but also conveyancing across England and Wales.
  • R & C Property Lawyers Llp, 10A Upper Tooting Road, SW17 7PG
  • Walter Saunders, 382 Brockley Road, SE4 2BY
  • Stratega Law Ltd, Sutherland House, W1F 7TE

Planning law solicitors in Streatham regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

The solicitors listed below are a small selection of solicitors in Streatham with expertise in planning law. This should include advice on making sure people do what the planning regulations say
  • William Innes, 56 Crescent Lane, London, SW4 9PU
  • Streathers Clapham Llp, 53 Clapham High Street, London, SW4 7TG
  • Ashworths Solicitors Llp, The Old Exchange, 12 Compton Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 7QD
  • Crescent Law, 81 London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5HP
  • Capsticks Solicitors Llp, 1 St. Georges Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 4DR

*Source acknowledgement: House price data produced by Land Registry as well data supplied by Lexsure Ltd.

© Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of Land Registry under delegated authority from the Controller of HMSO.