I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Camborne. My lender is Nationwide Building Society

Nationwide Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 27/2/2025, the requirements read as follows :

Will our solicitor be raising enquiries concerning flooding as part of the conveyancing in Camborne.

Flooding is a growing risk for lawyers dealing with homes in Camborne. There are those who purchase a house in Camborne, completely aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical destruction, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, adequate insurance cover, or dispose of the premises. Steps can be carried out during the course of a property purchase to forewarn the buyer.

Lawyers are not qualified to give advice on flood risk, but there are a number of searches that may be carried out by the buyer or by their solicitors which will figure out the risks in Camborne. The conventional set of information supplied to a purchaser’s lawyer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) contains a usual question of the seller to determine whether the property has suffered from flooding. In the event that flooding has previously occurred and is not notified by the seller, then a purchaser may bring a claim for damages stemming from an incorrect response. A purchaser’s lawyers may also order an enviro search. This should indicate if there is any known flood risk. If so, more detailed investigations will need to be initiated.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Camborne?

Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Camborne. 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…’

Should I choose a Camborne conveyancing practitioner based in the location that I am purchasing? An old friend can perform the legal work but his firm is located a couple of hundredmiles drive away.

The benefit of a high street Camborne conveyancing firm is that you can attend the office to sign paperwork, present your ID and apply pressure on them where appropriate. They will also have local intelligence which is a bonus. That being said nothing is more important than finding someone that will do a good and efficient job. If if people you trust instructed your friend and on the whole were happy that should surpass using an unfamiliar Camborne conveyancing solicitor just because they are round the corner.

What advice can you give us when it comes to finding a Camborne conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Camborne conveyancing practice) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggest that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Camborne conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be helpful:

How experienced is the firm with lease extension legislation? What are the legal fees for lease extension work?

Camborne Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Questions you should consider before buying

Best to be warned whether changing the roof or some other significant cost is anticipated that will be shared by the leaseholders and will materially increase the the service charges or necessitate a one off payment. For most Camborne leaseholds the cost for major works tend not to be incorporated into the maintenance charges, albeit that some managing agents in Camborne obliged leasehold owners to contribute towards a reserve fund created for the specific intention of building a fund for major works.