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

Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining 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 20/7/2025 the requirements read as follows :

I'm the sole beneficiary of my late father’s will with all property in now in my sole name, including the my former home in Teddington. The Teddington property was put into my name in June. I now wish to sell up. I understand that there is a Mortgage Lenders 6 month 'rule', which means that my property ownership will be considered the same way as though I had purchased the house in June. Do I have to wait 6 months to sell?

The CML handbook obliges conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." By the strict wording you could be caught by that. Most mortgage companies would take a practical view as this provision primarily exists to pick up on the purchase and immediately sell or the quick reselling of property.

Is it the case that all Teddington CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel?

A selection of banks and building societies now utilise CQS as the starting point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitor practices wishing to remain on their panels.

Is it the case that all Teddington solicitor practices on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel are overseen by the SRA?

As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel they would need to be governed by the SRA. The majority of banks do list licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be overseen by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

I opted to have a survey completed on a property in Teddington ahead of retaining lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. Our surveyor has said that some banks will refuse to give a mortgage on a flying freehold property.

It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different requirements from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can check with the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Teddington. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Teddington especially if they are familiar with such properties in Teddington.

I have just started marketing my garden apartment in Teddington. Conveyancing has not commenced, however I have recently had a half-yearly service charge demand – Do I pay up?

The sensible thing to do is discharge the invoice as usual because all ground rent and service invoices will be apportioned on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

I have given up trying to purchase the freehold in Teddington. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

if there is a missing landlord or if there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant statutes it is possible to make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to decide the price.

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Teddington property is Flat D 15 Claremont Gardens in September 2013. TheTribunal determined in accordance with section48 and Schedule13 of the Leasehold Reform,Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 that the premium for the extended lease should be fourteen thousand one hundred and eighty seven pounds (£14,187.00) This case related to 1 flat.

Being a tenant I am liable for a maintenance contribution for my property in Teddington. As a result of flawed financial planning I fell into arrears with payments. The freeholders agreed a payment plan but there remains a couple of currently due.

I now wish to sell and I am concerned this can jeopardize the sale if I have to settle the amount due now. I'd like to sell up and subsequently repay the arrears from the proceeds - is this possible?

Your solicitor will hopefully be in a position to negotiate with the management company, with a new to seeing if they would accept settlement from completion monies. Here is an example of why it might be good to select a solicitor in Teddington as they may well have an established relationship with the management company.