About to place an offer on a leasehold apartment in Kings Heath. The selling agents tell me that it is standard for flats in Kings Heath to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am getting a mortgage with Chelsea Building Society. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 70 years left.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are getting a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 1/2/2025 the requirements read as follows :
Last month we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Kent Reliance. Kings Heath conveyancing practitioners have been selected. How long does it take for Kent Reliance to send the offer to the solicitor?
Some lenders take longer than others. Have Kent Reliance completed the survey? Have you informed Kent Reliance as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel? Sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued.
I am buying a property in Kings Heath. One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender HSBC be concerned?
As your lender is HSBC your lawyer must check the formal requirements outlined in Part two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for HSBC. The CML Handbook contains minimum provisions for solar panel roof-space leases, and lawyers are required to report to HSBC where a lease does not comply with these provisions. The specifications relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not restricted to Kings Heath.
I have today made my last payment due on my mortgage with UBS. I assume I don't need a Kings Heath property lawyer on the UBS panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
If you have finished paying off your UBS 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 UBS mortgage from the register. UBS, 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:
- but are not moving to another property
- where UBS has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
- UBS has instructed the Land Registry to do so
Am I right to be suspicious by brokers that I am dealing with are encouraging me to use an online conveyancing firm as opposed to a High Street Kings Heath conveyancing firm?
As is the case with many service providers, often suggestions from connections can be extremely useful or valuable. But there are many parties with a vested interest in a conveyancing transaction; estate agents, financial adviser and mortgage companies might all recommend solicitors to appoint. On occasion the conveyancers might be known to one of the organisations as experts in their field, but occasionally there behind the scenes financial incentive behind the recommendation. You are free to appoint your preferred lawyer. You need to be aware that many mortgage providers have an approved list of solicitors you are obliged to use for the lender related work in your house move.
As co-executor for the estate of my grandmother I am disposing of a house in Swansea but live in Kings Heath. My lawyer (who is 200 kilometers awayrequires that I execute a statutory declaration prior to completion. Could you suggest a conveyancing lawyer in Kings Heath who can attest this legal document for me?
strictly speaking you are not likely to be required to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily any notary public or solicitor will do regardless of whether they are Kings Heath based
Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only Sixty One years remaining on my lease in Kings Heath. I now want to extend my lease but my landlord is missing. What should I do?
On the basis that you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be extended by the magistrate. However, you will be required to prove that you have used your best endeavours to find the freeholder. For most situations a specialist may be helpful to carry out a search and prepare an expert document to be accepted by the court as proof that the freeholder can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer in relation to investigating the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court overseeing Kings Heath.
I am the registered owner of a split level flat in Kings Heath, conveyancing having been completed in 2008. Can you shed any light on how much the price could be for a 90 year extension to my lease? Equivalent properties in Kings Heath with over 90 years remaining are worth £196,000. The ground rent is £45 levied per year. The lease finishes on 21st October 2089
With only 64 years unexpired the likely cost is going to range between £15,200 and £17,600 plus costs.
The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to provide the actual costs without more comprehensive investigations. You should not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt additional issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward based on this information without first getting professional advice.