I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Christchurch. My lender is Bank of Ireland

Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 30/1/2025, the requirements read as follows :

Is it the case that all Christchurch solicitors on the Santander conveyancing panel are regulated by the SRA?

As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the Santander conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the SRA. The majority of mortgage companies do permit licenced conveyancers on their panel and in such a situation the practice would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

Can I be sure that the Christchurch conveyancing solicitor on the Leeds Building Society panel is any good?

When it comes to conveyancing in Christchurch seeking recommendations is a sensible start. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always suggest that you speak with the lawyer conducting your transaction.

I have today made my last payment due on my mortgage with Bank of Ireland. I assume I don't need a Christchurch conveyancer on the Bank of Ireland panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm.

If you have finished paying off your Bank of Ireland mortgage, they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Bank of Ireland mortgage from the register. Bank of Ireland, and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:

1. but are not moving to another property
2. where Bank of Ireland has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
3. Bank of Ireland has instructed the Land Registry to do so

Do commercial conveyancing searches reveal impending roadworks that could impact a commercial premises in Christchurch?

Many commercial conveyancing solicitors in Christchurch will execute a SiteSolutions Highways report as it reduces the time that conveyancers expend in researching accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Christchurch. The search result sets out definitive information on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Christchurch.

For each commercial conveyancing transaction in Christchurch it is critical to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. The absence of identifying developments where adoption procedures have not been addressed adequately could result in delays to Christchurch commercial conveyancing deals as well as pose a risk to future intentions for the site. These searches are not ordered for residential conveyancing in Christchurch.

About to purchase a new build apartment in Christchurch. 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 conveyancing.

Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Christchurch

Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? 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.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Christchurch. Conveyancing and Birmingham Midshires mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1996. The conveyancing practitioner in Christchurch who previously acted has now retired. What should I do?

First make enquiries of the Land Registry to make sure that this person is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to instruct a Christchurch conveyancing practitioner to do this as it can be done on-line for a few pound. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

I acquired a 1st floor flat in Christchurch, conveyancing having been completed June 2001. How much will my lease extension cost? Similar flats in Christchurch with over 90 years remaining are worth £202,000. The ground rent is £60 yearly. The lease terminates on 21st October 2082

With 57 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £28,500 and £33,000 plus costs.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs in the absence of comprehensive investigations. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward based on this information before getting professional advice.