Our Leigh lawyer has identified a difference when comparing the information in the valuation report and what is revealed within the legal papers for the property. My lawyer has advised that he needs to ensure that the lender is happy with this discrepancy and is still content to lend. Is my lawyer’s stance right?

Your conveyancing practitioner must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.

I have Fifty Six years remaining on my lease and need a lease extension for my apartment in Leigh. Conveyancing solicitors on the Accord Mortgages panel can deal with such extensions right?

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. Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 19/2/2025 the requirements read as follows :

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a property I have offered on last month in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Leigh is where the house is located. Can you shed any light on this issue?

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

I've recently bought a leasehold flat in Leigh. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Leasehold Conveyancing in Leigh - A selection of Queries Prior to buying

How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments? Where a Leigh lease has less than eighty years it will impact the salability of the flat. Check with your lender that they are content with residual term of the lease. Leases with less than 80 years remaining means that you will almost definitely have to extend the lease at some point and it is worth finding out how much this will be. For most Leighlease extensions you would need to own the premises for two years before you are entitled to extend the lease. Who is in charge of the block?

Are Leigh conveyancing solicitors under an obligation to the Law Society to issue clear conveyancing figures?

Inbuilt into the Solicitors Code of Conduct are prescriptive rules and regulations as to how the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) allow solicitors to publicise their fees to clients.The Law Society have practice note giving advice on how to publicise transparent charges to avoid breaching any such rule. Practice notes are not legal advice issued by the Law Society and is not to be regarded as the only standard of good practice a conveyancing solicitor should adhere to. The Practice Note does, nevertheless, constitute the Law Society’s perspective of acceptable practice for publicising conveyancing charges, and accordingly it’s a recommended read for any solicitor or conveyancer in Leigh or beyond.