I chose a high street firm for our conveyancing in Littlehampton yesterday. After carefully reading the small print I noteI am on the hook for costs even if our purchase aborts. Should I ditch them and select an internet conveyancing brokerage advertising no completion no cost conveyancing in Littlehampton?
It is usually ‘give and take’ in that if "No Sale No Fee" is available then the conveyancing charges will generally be uplifted to offset the cases that abort. You should be mindful that these promotions tend not to protect you from disbursements for example Littlehampton conveyancing search costs.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Littlehampton. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 17/7/2025, the requirements read as follows :
How does conveyancing in Littlehampton differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Littlehampton come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is finished. This is because house builders in Littlehampton usually acquire the land, 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Littlehampton or who has acted in the same development.
Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Littlehampton ahead of retaining lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. The surveyor advised that some mortgage companies may not grant a mortgage on such a property.
It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different requirements for example to Halifax. If you e-mail us we can check with the relevant lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Littlehampton. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Littlehampton to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.
I am a negotiator for a long established estate agent office in Littlehampton where we have witnessed a few leasehold sales jeopardised as a result of short leases. I have been given conflicting advice from local Littlehampton conveyancing solicitors. Please can you confirm whether the seller of a flat can initiate the lease extension process for the purchaser on completion of the sale?
As long as the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. This means that the proposed purchaser can avoid having to sit tight for 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed before, or simultaneously with completion of the sale.
Alternatively, it may be possible to agree the lease extension with the freeholder either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the purchaser.
Littlehampton Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Queries before buying
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For most Littlehampton leaseholds the outlay for major works are not included within service charges, although some managing agents in Littlehampton obliged leaseholders to pay into a reserve fund and this is used to offset against major repairs or maintenance. Best to be warned if a new roof is being put on or some other major work is due shortly to be shared by the leaseholders and may well materially increase the the maintenance costs or necessitate a one time payment. How many years are left on the lease?