I am about to put an offer on a leasehold flat in Hertford. The selling agents assure me that it is the norm for flats in Hertford to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am obtaining a loan with Bank of Ireland. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has Seventy One years remaining.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are getting 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 4/9/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I have todayfound out that Arc property Solicitors have been shut down. They carried out my conveyancing in Hertford for a purchase of a leasehold flat 10 months ago. How can I establish that the property is not still registered in the name of the previous owner?
The easiest method to check if the premises is registered to you, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Hertford conveyancing specialists.
How does conveyancing in Hertford differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Hertford approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because new home sellers in Hertford usually buy the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Hertford or who has acted in the same development.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what should have been a quick, chain free conveyancing. Hertford is where the house is located. Is there any guidance you can impart?
Flying freeholds in Hertford are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Hertford you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Hertford 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 residence.
I am 3 weeks into a leasehold purchase having been directed to solicitors by the local agent to perform conveyancing in Hertford. I am am starting to be dissatisfied with the level of service. Could you help me find new solicitors?
A conveyancer would need to be very bad to suggest diss instructing them. Has the loan offer been issued? If so you will need to inform them of the new contact details and have the loan are re-issued. Your new solicitor ideally needs to be on the lenders panel to avoid escalating fees and frustration. So that should be your first question of the new conveyancers. Our find a solicitor tool can assist you in finding a bank approved conveyancer for your home move in Hertford