My fiancee and I are acquiring our first home. Our property lawyer has texted usto ask if we would like to order supplemental conveyancing searches. We are really unsure what's needed for conveyancing in Epworth

The extent of Epworth conveyancing searches should be dictated primarily on the premises, the location, the likelihood of any of these risks, your familiarity of the locality and risks, your general attitude to risk. What matters is that you adequately understand what information the searches could give you. You may then decide if you personally think you need that information. Where you are unsure, ask the property lawyer to advise.

I am about to put a bid on a leasehold flat in Epworth. The selling agents say that it is normal for flats in Epworth to have less than 75 years left on the lease. I am expecting a loan with Bank of Ireland. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has Seventy One years remaining.

Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 24/1/2025 the requirements read as follows :

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified as part of conveyancing in Epworth?

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

How does conveyancing in Epworth differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Epworth approach us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because house builders in Epworth tend to purchase the site, 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 property lawyers 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 Epworth or who has acted in the same development.

I have been advised by numerous property agents in Epworth to locate a conveyancer using your seach tool. What’s the financial inducement for Estate Agents to recommend your services rather than another?

We don’t make any commission for directing people to this site. We thought it would be too underhand a fee because a client could think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.