About to place an offer on a leasehold flat in Ouston. The selling agents say that it is usual for flats in Ouston to have less than 75 years remaining. I am taking out a loan with Virgin. Is this going to be acceptable if the lease has 69 years to go.

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. Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 26/1/2025 the requirements read as follows :

I am the only beneficiary of my late grandmother’s will with all property in now in my sole name, including the house in Ouston. The Ouston property was put into my name in December. I plan to dispose of the property. I do know about the CML six month 'rule', meaning my proprietorship will be considered the same way as though I had purchased the house in December. Will no one buy the property for half a year?

The CML handbook mandates conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." By the strict wording you may be affected by that. Most lenders would take a practical view as this clause primarily exists to pick up on the purchase and immediately sell or the wholesaling and assigning of properties.

We previously selected solicitors based in Ouston on the Skipton solicitor approved list. They are now charging me a supplemental charge for handling the Skipton mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee specified by Skipton?

As unfair as it may appear, as long as it’s in their Terms of Engagement or Quote then yes your conveyancing practitioner can levy a fee for this. This charge is not dictated by Skipton but by your Ouston conveyancer. Numerous firms on the Skipton panel will quote an ‘acting for lender’ fee but many practices include it on their overall fee.

I have instructed a Ouston property lawyer having made sure that they are on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?

Coventry BS will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Coventry BS will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your conveyancer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Ouston postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Coventry BS, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Ouston.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build apartment in Ouston. Conveyancing is daunting 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 legal work.

Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Ouston

Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in two weeks back in what should have been a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Ouston is the location of the property. Is there any advice you can impart?

Flying freeholds in Ouston are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Ouston you must be sure that your lawyer goes 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 Ouston 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.

My husband and I are a couple of weeks into a leasehold purchase having been directed to a firm by the local agent to execute conveyancing in Ouston. I am am starting to be disappointed with the quality of service. Can you help me find new solicitors?

They would need to be really poor to suggest diss instructing them. Has the mortgage been sent? If so you will need to advise them of the replacement lawyer and get the loan are issued to the new lawyers. Your new solicitor ideally should be on the banks approved list to avoid added charges and delays. So that should be your first question of the new conveyancers. The find a solicitor tool can assist you in finding a bank approved conveyancer for your home move in Ouston