Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Tolworth. My lender is Accord Mortgages

Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 7/9/2025, the requirements read as follows :

I'm buying a new build house in Tolworth with a mortgage from Britannia. The developers refused to reduce the amount so I negotiated £7000 of additionals instead. The estate agent advised me not to tell my solicitor about this extras as it could impact my mortgage with the bank. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Tolworth is where the house is located. Is there any guidance you can give?

Flying freeholds in Tolworth are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Tolworth you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Tolworth may ascertain 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.

I’m about to sell my ground floor flat in Tolworth. Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon, but I have just had a yearly maintenance charge invoice – Do I pay up?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should pay the maintenance contribution as normal given that all rents and service charges will be apportioned on completion, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless 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 attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord to extend my lease without any joy. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal decide on such issues? Can you recommend a Tolworth conveyancing firm to assist?

in cases where there is a missing freeholder or where there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant legislation it is possible to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to assess the premium.

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Tolworth 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 affected 1 flat.

Builders have recommended to me a conveyancer and I've obtained an estimate from them. It's almost £400 cheaper than my preferred Tolworth conveyancing practitioner. Should I use them?

Developers frequently have panels of solicitors who expedite matters and who know the developer’s documentation and solicitor. Plenty of developers offer an inducement to use their approved solicitor for this reason, any increased cost can be avoided and a developer will not suggest a conveyancing factory and run the risk of having the conveyancing stall when they want exchange within a tight deadline. A counter-argument for not agreeing to use the recommended lawyer is that they may prove hesitant to 'push' your interests at the risk of upsetting the housebuilder. If you worry that this may be the case you should remain with your high street Tolworth property lawyer.