I am purchasing a property for cash in Highgate. I have resided for the last Seventeen years in Highgate. Conveyancing searches are expensive. As I have knowledge of the road and vicinity intimately must I have all the conveyancing searches?

In the absence of a mortgage, then almost all of the Highgate conveyancing searches are non-obligatory. Your solicitor will ’encourage you, perhaps strongly, that you should have searches completed, but she has a professional duty to do this. One thing to take into account; if you are intend to sell the house one day, it will be of relevance to your prospective buyer what the searches disclose. On occasion premises with day to day issues can still throw up negative search results. A good conveyancing solicitor in Highgate will be able to give you some constructive guidance here.

About to place a bid on a leasehold flat in Highgate. The estate agents tell me that it is usual for flats in Highgate to have less than 75 years remaining. I am obtaining a mortgage with Chelsea Building Society. Is this going to be a problem if the lease has 72 years to go.

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

It has been four months following my purchase conveyancing in Highgate concluded. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £180,000. 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 property 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 flat in Highgate. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Highgate

Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company?

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a simple, chain free conveyancing. Highgate is where the house is located. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Highgate are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Highgate you must be sure that your lawyer goes 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 Highgate 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 premises.