What is the first thing I need to know about purchase conveyancing in West Norwood?
Not many law firms shout this from the rooftops but conveyancing in West Norwood and elsewhere in England and Wales is often a confrontational process. Put another way, when it comes to conveyancing there is an abundance of room for confrontation between you and others involved in the legal transfer of property. E.g., the vendor, estate agent and sometimes the bank. Selecting a lawyer for your conveyancing in West Norwood should not be taken lightly as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the SOLE person in the transaction whose interest is to act in your best interests and to protect you.
Every so often a potential adversary may attempt to convince you that you should follow their advice. For instance, the selling agent may claim to be assisting by suggesting your lawyer is dragging his heels. Or your mortgage broker may tell you to do something that is against your solicitors recommendation. You should always trust your lawyer above all other parties when it comes to the legal transfer of property.
I have Fifty Six years unexpired on my lease and require a lease extension for my apartment in West Norwood. Conveyancing solicitors on the Virgin panel can deal with such extensions correct?
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 23/7/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I purchased a semi-detached Georgian house in West Norwood. Conveyancing lawyer represented me and Britannia. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold under the matching property. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?
You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in West Norwood and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also question the situation with your conveyancing lawyer who conducted the conveyancing.
How does conveyancing in West Norwood differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in West Norwood contact us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is constructed. This is because builders in West Norwood typically 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 West Norwood or who has acted in the same development.
Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in West Norwood before retaining solicitors. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. My surveyor has said that some banks will refuse to give a loan on this type of property.
It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different instructions for example to Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can check via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in West Norwood. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in West Norwood especially if they are accustomed to such properties in West Norwood.
I need to retain a conveyancing solicitor for remortgage conveyancing in West Norwood. I've chance upon a site which appears to be the ideal offering If there is a chance to get all this stuff done via web that would be ideal. Should I be wary? What should out be looking out for?
As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?