I am acquiring a maisonette in Winchelsea. My Conveyancer has never been on on the mortgage company approved list. Is it possible for me to appoint my Winchelsea conveyancing solicitor even though they are not on the mortgage company panel of approved conveyancing solicitors?
You have a number of alternatives open to you here
- Carry on with your preferred Winchelsea solicitor but your lender will no doubt use a solicitor from their approved list. The net result is additional cost and likely interruption.
- Get a fresh property lawyer to conduct the conveyancing, obviously checking they are on the bank conveyancing panel.
- Convince your conveyancer to attempt to join the lender panel
I purchased a freehold premises in Winchelsea yet invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in Winchelsea and has limited impact for conveyancing in Winchelsea but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.
Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges have existed for many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of new rentcharges post 1977.
Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.
About to purchase a new build apartment in Winchelsea. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.
Set out below is a sample of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Winchelsea
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Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore.
Should I use a Winchelsea conveyancing solicitor in close proximity to the house I am buying? An old friend can conduct the conveyancing however her office is approximately 350miles away.
The primary upside of using a local Winchelsea conveyancing practice is that you can drop in to sign paperwork, hand in your ID and pester them if necessary. They will also have local insight which is a plus. However it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If you know people who used your friend and they were content that should outweigh using an unfamiliar Winchelsea conveyancing solicitor solely due to them being local.
I today plan to offer on a house that appears to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Winchelsea. Conveyancing solicitors have not yet been instructed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Winchelsea ?
Most houses in Winchelsea are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area who can help the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are purchasing in Winchelsea so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Winchelsea conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the freeholder’spermission to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the house is located on an estate. Your conveyancer should report to you on the legal implications.
Winchelsea Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should ask before buying
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How much is the annual maintenance fee and ground rent? How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their service charge payments? Be sure to investigate if the the lease includes any onerous restrictions in the lease. For example it is very common in Winchelsea leases that pets are not permitted in in a block in Winchelsea. If you like the apartmentin Winchelsea however your cat is not allowed to live with you then you have a very difficult determination.
I today found out that one of the directors of the law firm handling the purchase conveyancing in Winchelsea is a relative of the vendor. Is this acceptable?
Provided no conflict arises this is permitted. Where you are requiring mortgage finance then the lender may have a say as many banks have specific requirements on this. For example for RBS (One Account) as of 3/2/2026, the requirements read as follows :