Our conveyancer has discovered a a problem with the lease for the flat we are purchasing in Woodhouse and Handsworth. The other side have put forward defective title insurance as a workaround. We are content with insurance and will cover the costs. Our lawyer has advised that he must be satisfied that the mortgage company is happy with this solution. Who is the client here, us or the lender?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the potential for a conflict of interest, you and the bank are the client. Your lawyer must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects with the lease so that the lender can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your conveyancer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
It is 10 years ago since I acquired my home in Woodhouse and Handsworth. Conveyancing lawyers have now been appointed on the sale but I am unable to locate the title deeds. Is this a major issue?
Don’t worry too much. Firstly the deeds may be kept by your mortgage company or they may still be with the conveyancers who oversaw the purchase. Secondly in most cases the property will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to prove you are the registered owner by your conveyancing lawyers procuring up to date copy of the land registers. The vast majority of conveyancing in Woodhouse and Handsworth involves registered property but in the unlikely event that your home is unregistered it is more tricky but is resolvable.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Woodhouse and Handsworth. My lender is Accord Mortgages
Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 27/3/2025, the requirements read as follows :
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Woodhouse and Handsworth is where the house is located. Can you offer any advice?
Flying freeholds in Woodhouse and Handsworth are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Woodhouse and Handsworth you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Woodhouse and Handsworth may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.
What does commercial conveyancing in Woodhouse and Handsworth cover?
Non domestic conveyancing in Woodhouse and Handsworth incorporates a broad array of services, provided by qualified solicitors, relating to business premises. By way of example, this area of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more usually, the assignment of existing leases or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial mortgages and the termination of tenancies.
I've found a house that appears to meet my requirements, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns purchasing a leasehold house in Woodhouse and Handsworth. Conveyancing solicitors have are about to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?
The majority of houses in Woodhouse and Handsworth are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Woodhouse and Handsworth so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Woodhouse and Handsworth conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions for example obtaining the freeholder’spermission to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your lawyer will appraise you on the various issues.
I own a garden flat in Woodhouse and Handsworth, conveyancing was carried out 7 years ago. Can you shed any light on how much the price could be for a 90 year extension to my lease? Corresponding flats in Woodhouse and Handsworth with over 90 years remaining are worth £222,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 invoiced every year. The lease runs out on 21st October 2095
With 70 years unexpired the likely cost is going to span between £9,500 and £11,000 plus professional fees.
The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed investigations. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt additional issues that need to be considered and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not take any other action based on this information without first getting professional advice.