Last October we completed a house move in Canonbury. We have since encountered a number of problems with the house which we suspect were missed in the conveyancing searches. Do we have any recourse? What searches should? have been carried out for conveyancing in Canonbury?

The question is vague as to the nature of the problems and if they are unique to conveyancing in Canonbury. Conveyancing searches and investigations undertaken as part of the buying process are supposed to help avoid problems. As part of the process, a seller fills in a document known as a Seller’s Property Information Form. If the information is misleading, then you may have a claim against the owner for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Canonbury.

I purchased a freehold residence in Canonbury yet charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Canonbury and has limited impact for conveyancing in Canonbury but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges have existed for many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be extinguished.

I am buying a property in Canonbury. One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. TSB have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?

Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with TSB your lawyer must check the conveyancing instructions contained in Part two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for TSB. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook includes minimum provisions for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancing practitioners are required to report to TSB where a lease does not comply with these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties nationwide and is not restricted to Canonbury.

I have paid off my mortgage with Bank of Ireland. I assume I don't need a Canonbury lawyer on the Bank of Ireland panel to discharge the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?

If you have finished paying off your Bank of Ireland 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 Bank of Ireland mortgage from the register. Bank of Ireland, 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:

1. but are not moving to another property
2. where Bank of Ireland has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
3. Bank of Ireland has instructed the Land Registry to do so

I had an offer accepted on an apartment in Canonbury on 15/12/2025, valuation was booked 4 days after, received a clean bill of health. Property lawyer appointed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Lloyds and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Lloyds conveyancing panel. Are Lloyds entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?

A lender would not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Lloyds to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Lloyds conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

What does commercial conveyancing in Canonbury cover?

Canonbury conveyancing for business premises incorporates a wide array of guidance, offered by qualified solicitors, relating to business premises. For instance, this area of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more commonly, the transfer of existing business tenancies or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial mortgages and the termination of tenancies.

We are in the process of buying a property in Canonbury. Conveyancing is not over but we wish to keep the amount we are are buying for confidential from the likes of Zoopla. How do I ensure this is not disclosed?

The Land Registry as a matter of law bound to specify price paid data on a register of the title for residential properties countrywide which includes premises in Canonbury. The register of ownership is a public document, so the Land Registry would be breaking the law excluded specific homes such as your property in Canonbury.

You can make a request of HM Land Registry to withhold the amount paid data but the response will be a No.