I am not in a position to travel far from Forest Hall. Is there a reason why all Forest Hall property lawyers are not on all lender panels?
Banks ordinarily impose restrictions on either the type or volume of conveyancing solicitors on their approved list of lawyers. A common example of such criteria being that the practice must have at least two partners. As well as restricting the nature of firm, some banks such as HSBC made a decision to restrict the number of conveyancers they allow to act for them. It is worth noting that lenders have no accountability for the accuracy of conveyancing provided by any Forest Hall solicitor on their approved list. Increases in mortgage fraud was a key driver in the rationalisation of solicitor panels a few years ago notwithstanding that there are conflicting assessments concerning whether solicitors sat at the center of that fraud. Data from the Land Registry indicates that thousands of law practices only conduct less than three conveyances a year. Those advocating conveyancing panel consolidation question why conveyancing firms deserve the right to be on a lender panel when clearly property law is not their speciality?
Can you explain why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Forest Hall costs more?
The conveyancing charges on a leasehold property in Forest Hall is frequently more expensive when contrasted to a freehold acquisition or disposal. This is because there is an amount of extra time required in dealing with the landlord and management company to collate the evidence concerning whether the rent and service fee have been paid and whether there are any major works due in the near future on repairs or maintenance of the building.
I am about to put a bid on a leasehold flat in Forest Hall. The property agents advise that it is usual for flats in Forest Hall to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am expecting a mortgage with Accord Mortgages. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 70 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. Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 12/9/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I am looking for a flat up to £235,500 and found one round the corner in Forest Hall I like with a park and transport links nearby, the downside is that it's only got 49 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Forest Hall for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?
If you need a mortgage that many years will likely be an issue. Discount the price by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you could request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer concerning this.
My husband and I are new to the buying process - had an offer accepted, but the selling agent told us that the seller will only proceed if we appoint the agent's recommended lawyers as they are insisting on a ‘quick sale’. Our preferred option is to instruct a high street solicitor used to conveyancing in Forest Hall
We suspect that the seller is not behind this requirement. Should the owner desire ‘a quick sale', alienating a genuine buyer is not the way to achieve this. Avoid the agents and go straight to the sellers and make sure they comprehend that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to go, with mortgage lined up © you do not need to sell (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you intend to appoint your preferred Forest Hall conveyancing solicitors - as opposed tothose that will earn their negotiator at the agency a referral fee or hit his conveyancing thresholds pre-set by senior management.