I have Fifty Six years unexpired on my lease and need a lease extension for my flat in Kingsley. Conveyancing solicitors on the Tesco Bank panel can deal with such extensions correct?

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. Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 23/7/2025 the requirements read as follows :

My solicitor has informed me that chancel insurance is needed on my purchase. What is the level of cover for Kingsley conveyancing?

The right level of chancel indemnity insurance depends on your lender. It would differ for example between Halifax and Coventry Building Society. Conveyancing practitioners as opposed to borrowers take out such policies.

I was told four weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by Clydesdale. Is it usual for Clydesdale to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Kingsley is approved on their conveyancing panel? Clydesdale have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their Professional Indemnity Insurance Schedule.

A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Clydesdale to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

Having digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Kingsley solicitor - who is on the Santander conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?

Santander will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Santander will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Kingsley postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Santander, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Kingsley.

We are planning on selling our home in Kingsley and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was constructed on contaminated land. A local conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. For the life of me I don't know why the purchasers used a web based conveyancing firm as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Kingsley. Having lived in Kingsley for many years we know of no issue. Is it a good idea to get in touch with our local Authority to seek clarification that there is no issue.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm currently acting for you. Are they able to advise? You should enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same sickness)

Over the last few months I have been searching for a flat up to £305k and identified one close by in Kingsley I like with a park and transport links nearby, the downside is that it only has 49 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Kingsley for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a short lease?

Should you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term will likely be problematic. Reduce the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current owner has owned the premises for at least twenty four months you may ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor concerning this matter.

Is planning permission required to convert a single dwelling into two appartments in Kingsley? This has taken place to a property adjacent to my home in Kingsley and was unaware of it happening until after the works were finished.

Planning Consent yes. Building Reg Approval yes.