I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Higham Ferrers. My lender is Nationwide Building Society

Nationwide Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 21/2/2025, the requirements read as follows :

Should our lawyer be making enquiries regarding flooding during the conveyancing in Higham Ferrers.

Flooding is a growing risk for lawyers dealing with homes in Higham Ferrers. There are those who acquire a house in Higham Ferrers, completely aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical damage, if a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, suitable insurance cover, or dispose of the property. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a house purchase to forewarn the buyer.

Conveyancers are not qualified to offer advice on flood risk, however there are a various checks that can be undertaken by the purchaser or by their lawyers which should give them a better understanding of the risks in Higham Ferrers. The standard information sent to a purchaser’s lawyer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) contains a standard inquiry of the vendor to determine if the premises has ever been flooded. If the residence has been flooded in past and is not disclosed by the vendor, then a buyer may bring a claim for damages resulting from an incorrect reply. A purchaser’s conveyancers will also conduct an enviro report. This should indicate if there is any known flood risk. If so, more detailed investigations will need to be carried out.

I am purchasing a new build house in Higham Ferrers with the aid of help to buy. The developers would not move on the amount so I negotiated £7000 of fixtures and fittings instead. The property agent told me not to tell my lawyer about the deal as it may jeopardize my mortgage with Coventry Building Society. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Higham Ferrers is where the house is located. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Higham Ferrers are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Higham Ferrers you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Higham Ferrers 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 residence.

I'm converting the mortgage on my current house to a BTL loan with Birmingham Midshires and I will use the ballance of the raised equity towards a second house. The area we are looking at is Higham Ferrers. Will your lawyers be able to act for the two banks and link together the two deals?

Make use of our comparison tool on this site to check that the lawyers are on the relevant lender panels. On the basis that they are your conveyancer should be able to simultaneously deal with the two conveyancing matters but you should have a chat with you lawyer and specify your expectations and requirements.