Is it correct that all Cuckfield CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors are on the Santander conveyancing panel?

Some major lenders now use the accreditation scheme as the kick off point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitors wishing to join their panels.

I am buying a property in Cuckfield. One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Yorkshire BS be concerned?

Given that your lender is Yorkshire BS your lawyer must check the conveyancing instructions outlined in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Yorkshire BS. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook sets out minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancing practitioners are required to report to Yorkshire BS where a lease does not satisfy these provisions. The specifications relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not limited to Cuckfield.

I had an offer accepted on a property in Cuckfield on 14/10/2025, valuation was booked 4 days after, all came back fine. Property lawyer appointed, so the only thing outstanding was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Skipton and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Skipton conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?

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

My wife and I have a terraced Edwardian house in Cuckfield. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Alliance & Leicester . I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw two entries: the first freehold, another for leasehold under the matching address. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?

You need to read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Cuckfield and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also check the position with the conveyancing practitioner who conducted the purchase.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in two weeks back in what was supposed to be a quick, chain free conveyancing. Cuckfield is where the house is located. Can you offer any opinion?

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

Can you offer any advice when it comes to choosing a Cuckfield conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Cuckfield conveyancing firm) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you speak with two or three firms including non Cuckfield conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions might be useful:

Can they put you in touch with clients in Cuckfield who can give a testimonial?

Cuckfield Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing

It would be wise to find out if there are any onerous restrictions in the lease. For example some leases prohibit pets being allowed in certain buildings in Cuckfield. If you love the flatin Cuckfield yet your dog can’t live with you then you have a very difficult determination. Is there a share of the freehold? Does the lease include onerous restrictions?

Is there a distinction between surveying and conveyancing in Cuckfield?

Conveyancing - in Cuckfield or anywhere in England and Wales - is the legal term given to transferring legal title of property from one person to another. It involves the checking of the title. Whether buying or selling, you should be aware of anything affecting the property such as proposals by government departments, illegal buildings, or outstanding rates. The conveyancer should conduct the appropriate searches and inquiries on the property. Surveying relates to the structure of a property itself. A surveyor will look at a house, flat and any outbuildings you’re purchasing and will help you discover the condition of the building and, if there are problems, give you leverage for reducing the price down or asking the seller to fix the problems prior to you complete your move.