Whether you're a layman looking to understand your own transaction or a lawyer needing assistance with a client's conveyancing our step by step sale and purchase guides will lead you through the process while our mini guides will break the whole thing into manageable chunks and give a deep insight into the key issues and stages. Leasehold, freehold, unregistered, registered – we've got it all covered.
Need help with a remortgage or transfer of equity / deed of gift? Our guides will walk you through the process and highlight some of the common pitfalls. Mortgages and transfers can be very simple procedures but complex issues can sometimes arise and mistakes are easily made. These guides will help you deal with them.
So you want to have a go at your own conveyancing? First you should read about the risks, then if you're still happy to proceed, our guides will take you through each stage of the process telling you what to look out for and helping you avoid falling into expensive traps. Our subscription service will give you access to all of the documents you should need for your conveyancing and we can even supply you with the Land Registry Official Copies you'll need. Our general guides will cover all the obstacles you are likely to face and offer a practical solution. Have a look at our sale and purchase guides too.
A big part of the conveyancing process is the conveyancing searches. This section tells you all about them. What they are, how and when to order them and how to interpret the results. Each search has its own guide and you'll see they are separated into Standard (should be done in every case), Regional (area specific) and Optional (not essential but often useful tools for the would be purchaser). All buyers should beware that when you buy a property, the law assumes that you have seen the information that would have been revealed by searches whether or not you have actually carried them out, so you buy the property subject to the results.
Using a conveyancer to handle your conveyancing will greatly reduce the risk to you and sometimes, particularly if you are taking out a new mortgage, you will have no choice but to instruct a conveyancer. The good news is it doesn't have to break the bank. Get a free, instant quote here. We can also help with quick easy quotes for other moving related services.
Are you looking for the documents you'll need for your conveyancing transaction? Or official copies of the title or other documents from Land Registry. We can help you. Follow the links below.
when buying should a solicitor inform you if the lease is under 80 years on a long leasehold property
An experienced solicitor should be able to advise on this especially when advising on route of title.
I had a case where a property was advertised at freehold at the estate agent and my client wanted freehold. I spotted it once I got the office copy entry.
Hi Thanks, my issue is a solicitor has facilitated a cash purchase with an inexperienced buyer for an apartment with just 76 years left on the lease and failed to inform them of the potential problems buying a lease with less than 85 years might have as per below.
1. Leasehold Extension: Once a lease has under 80 years left, it can be more expensive to extend, as the cost increases significantly due to something called “marriage value” (the difference in value between the property with a short lease and the same property with a longer lease). Your solicitor should advise you on the implications of this and whether negotiating a lease extension with the seller is possible.
2. Mortgage Issues: Many lenders are reluctant to offer mortgages on properties with a lease under 80 years because of the potential difficulties in extending the lease. Your solicitor should check whether any mortgage restrictions could apply in your case.
3. Property Value: A short lease can reduce the value of the property, and your solicitor should discuss how this might affect your investment, particularly if you plan to sell in the future.
Can you please give me your expert opinion.