Why do I have to pay up front when it comes to conveyancing in Knightsbridge?
If you are buying a property in Knightsbridge your lawyer will ask you place them with funds to cover the search fees. This will be the total of the cost of the Local Authority Search. If any deposit is payable against the total price then this should be needed shortly before contracts are exchanged. The closing balance that is due should be sent to your lawyer shortly before completion.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Knightsbridge. My lender is Platform
Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 16/7/2025, the requirements read as follows :
If you had a top tip for selecting a conveyancing solicitor in Knightsbridge what would it be?
We would encourage you not to go for the cheapest Knightsbridge conveyancing fees. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.
We expect to receive a DIP from Co-operative this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Co-operative recommend any Knightsbridge solicitors on the Co-operative conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer?
You will need to appoint Knightsbridge solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Co-operative conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Co-operative through the process.
Santander have agreed my home loan in principle, my bid on a apartment in Knightsbridge has been agreed to, what are the next steps?
The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure the lawyers are on the bank’s panel). Call up Santander or your financial adviser and finalise any outstanding forms. Santander will instruct a valuer who will get in contact with the estate agent or vendor to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes on average ten days for the mortgage offer to be issued. Santander will issue the offer to you and your property lawyers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Knightsbridge.
I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and found one close by in Knightsbridge I like with a park and railway links in the vicinity, the downside is that it only has 51 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Knightsbridge suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?
Should you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term may be an issue. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current owner has owned the property for a minimum of twenty four months you may request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.
My cousin has suggested that I use his conveyancing solicitors in Knightsbridge. Should I choose my own solicitor?
Much as we are happy to recommend a Knightsbridge conveyancing lawyer it’s preferable to find a conveyancing practitioner is to have guidance from friends or relatives who have experience in using the conveyancer that you are are thinking of instructing.