I am expecting a mortgage with Halifax. My intention is to enlist the help of a Licensed Conveyancer in Chafford Hundred. Does the Halifax Solicitor panel include Licensed Conveyancers?

The Halifax approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders, represented by the Council or Mortgage Lenders or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

I am about to put a bid on a leasehold property in Chafford Hundred. The selling agents assure me that it is normal for flats in Chafford Hundred to have less than 75 years remaining. I am obtaining a mortgage with Bank of Ireland. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 69 years unexpired.

Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 3/2/2026 the requirements read as follows :

Various online forums that I have visited warn that are the number one cause of hinderance in Chafford Hundred conveyancing transactions. Is there any truth in this?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released determinations of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the most frequent causes of delays during the legal transfer of property. Local searches are not likely to feature in any delay in conveyancing in Chafford Hundred.

Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Chafford Hundred prior to instructing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. My surveyor has said that some banks will not grant a loan on this type of premises.

It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different instructions for example to Nationwide. If you contact us we can check with the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Chafford Hundred. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

I have recently realised that I have 72 years unexpired on my lease in Chafford Hundred. I now want to extend my lease but my landlord is can not be found. 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 apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have made all reasonable attempts to track down the freeholder. For most situations a specialist should be helpful to carry out a search and prepare an expert document which can be used as proof that the landlord is indeed missing. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer in relation to proving the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court covering Chafford Hundred.

I am the proprietor of a garden flat in Chafford Hundred. Given that I can not reach agreement with the landlord, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the premium payable for the purchase of the freehold?

in cases where there is a missing landlord or where there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 it is possible to make an application to the LVT to judgment on the amount due.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a Chafford Hundred residence is Various @ Colombus Square in January 2012. the Tribunal calculated the premiums to be paid for new leases for each of the flats in Mariners Walk to be £3822 and the premium to be paid for the new lease of 2 Knights Court to be £4439. This case related to 13 flats. The unexpired term was 76 years.