I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Walworth. My lender is Accord Mortgages
Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 17/6/2025, the requirements read as follows :
My stepmother advised me that in buying a property in Walworth there could be a number of restrictions prohibiting external alterations to a property. Is this right?
We are aware of anumerous of properties in Walworth which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to perform external changes. Part of the conveyancing in Walworth should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.
Does a directory service exist listing HSBC panel solicitors in Walworth on the Building Society Association’s Website?
No. There is no such directory service on the CML or Building Society Association websites. Very few banks make their panel listings open the public over the internet. Where you are in need of a Walworth conveyancer on the HSBC please make the most of our tool.
I have a mortgage with Principality for my property in Walworth. Conveyancing was finalised a year ago. Should I wish to rent out the flat and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Principality?
Your original mortgage agreement with Principality will provide that you need their approval prior to letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of Principality’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Principality directly. You need not do this via a Principality conveyancing panel lawyer.
Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified as part of conveyancing in Walworth?
Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Walworth. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’
In what way can the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 affect my business property in Walworth and how can you help?
The particular law that you refer to affords security of tenure to commercial tenants, granting the right to apply to court for a continuation of occupancy when the lease reaches an end. There are certain specified grounds where a landlord can refrain from granting a lease renewal and the rules are complex. Fees are different for commercial conveyancing. Walworth is one of the hundreds of locations in which the firms we work with are based
I am looking at a two maisonettes in Walworth which have approximately forty five years remaining on the leases. Do I need to be concerned?
There is no doubt about it. A leasehold flat in Walworth is a wasting asset as a result of the reducing lease term. The closer the lease gets to zero years unexpired, the more it reduces the salability of the premises. For most buyers and lenders, leases with less than 75 years become less and less attractive. On a more positive note, leaseholders can extend their leases by serving a Section 42 Notice. One stipulation is that they must have owned the premises for two years (unlike a Section 13 notice for purchasing the freehold, when leaseholders can participate from day one of ownership). When successful, they will have the right to an extension of 90 years to the current term and ground rent is effectively reduced to zero. Before moving forward with a purchase of a residence with a short lease term remaining you should talk to a solicitor specialising in lease extensions and leasehold enfranchisement. We are are happy to put you in touch with Walworth conveyancing experts who will explain the options available to you during an initial telephone conversation free of charge. A more straightforward and quicker method of extending would be to contact your landlord directly and sound him out on the prospect of extending the lease. You may find he or she is happy to negotiate informally and willing to consider your offer straight off, without having to involve anyone else. This will save you time and money and it could help you reach a lower price on the lease. You need to ensure that any new terms represent good long-term value compared with the standard benefits of the Section 42 Notice and that onerous clauses are not inserted into any redrafting of the lease.
Following years of negotiations we cannot agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Walworth. Can we issue an application to the Residential Property Tribunal Service?
Most definitely. We are happy to put you in touch with a Walworth conveyancing firm who can help.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a Walworth property is 28 Valmar Road in June 2013. this was a case with an absentee freeholder. As a result the leaseholders applied to the Lambeth County Court for an order dispensing with the giving of a notice of claim. On 25 April 2013 District Judge Zimmels made a vesting order and directed that the matter should be transferred to this tribunal to determine the premium. The tribunal concluded on a figure of £1,125 This case affected 3 flats. The unexpired lease term was 968 years.
We have had DIP from Bank of Scotland who indicated that they will lend up to £300k. When do we need to appoint a practitioner for conveyancing? Walworth is where we are purchasing.
It would be wise to appoint a conveyancer now requesting that they create a file on your behalf. This will facilitate: 1) the estate agent to send out the Sales Memorandum to all parties 2) the seller’s conveyancer to submit the draft paperwork. That being said, do not ask your property lawyer to start searches until you receive your valuation report from Bank of Scotland and you are content to proceed.