I am about to put a bid on a leasehold flat in Godalming. The selling agents say that it is the norm for flats in Godalming to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am expecting a mortgage with Tesco Bank. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 72 years remaining.

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. Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 18/7/2025 the requirements read as follows :

five months have gone by following my purchase conveyancing in Godalming concluded. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £215,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the premises from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

I am buying a new build house in Godalming with a mortgage from The Royal Bank of Scotland. The builders refused to reduce the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The estate agent suggested that I not reveal to my lawyer about the deal as it would put at risk my loan with the lender. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

I own a leasehold house in Godalming. Conveyancing and Halifax mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing solicitor in Godalming who previously acted has long since retired. What should I do?

First contact the Land Registry to be sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to instruct a Godalming conveyancing firm to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for less than a fiver. You should note that regardless, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I own a studio flat in Godalming, conveyancing was carried out in 2002. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Equivalent properties in Godalming with an extended lease are worth £216,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 invoiced annually. The lease expires on 21st October 2093

With just 68 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £9,500 and £11,000 as well as costs.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more detailed due diligence. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional concerns that need to be considered and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

Do I cancel my mortgage payments with Clydesdale once a completion date for my home sale in Godalming has been agreed?

No, you should keep meeting any mortgage sums to Clydesdale until the mortgage is redeemed on completion as part of your Godalming conveyancing.