How up to date is your database of Whyteleafe solicitors on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel? Do Virgin Money send you an updated list?
Whyteleafe conveyancing firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Virgin Money directly.
I am about to put a bid on a leasehold property in Whyteleafe. The property agents tell me that it is usual for flats in Whyteleafe to have less than 75 years left on the lease. I am taking out a loan with Virgin. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 70 years left.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 31/1/2026 the requirements read as follows :
My wife and I buying a detached bungalow in Whyteleafe. Our aim is to carry out an extension to the side at the house.Will legal conveyancing on the property involve enquiries to see if these alterations are allowed?
Your property lawyer should check the registered title as conveyancing in Whyteleafe can sometimes reveal restrictions in the title deeds which prohibit certain alterations or require the consent of another owner. Some works call for local authority planning consent and approval in accordance building regulations. Many locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or affect extensions. You should check these issues with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.
I have been told by my solicitor that missing deeds insurance is needed on my purchase. What is the typical level of cover needed for conveyancing in Whyteleafe?
The right level of missing deeds indemnity insurance should be dictated by who your lender. It would differ for example between Yorkshire Building Society and Leeds Building Society. Conveyancing solicitors as opposed to borrowers take out such insurances.
I'm in the process of looking at flats in Whyteleafe and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it too early to have a solicitor in place? I intend to finance via a mortgage with Nottingham.
You should start obtaining conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their contact information on to the EA. As you are taking out a mortgage with Nottingham, ask your prospective lawyers if they are on the Nottingham conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
I have a 4 bedroom Georgian house in Whyteleafe. Conveyancing lawyer represented me and Nottingham Building Society. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are two entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold under the exact same address. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?
You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Whyteleafe and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also question the situation with your conveyancing lawyer who conducted the work.
How does conveyancing in Whyteleafe differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Whyteleafe contact us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is constructed. This is because house builders in Whyteleafe typically purchase the site, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 used to new build conveyancing in Whyteleafe or who has acted in the same development.