Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Eastwood. My lender is Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 18/10/2026, the requirements read as follows :
Forgive me if this question is silly but I am new to the home moving as FTB of a two bedroom flat in Eastwood. Do I pick up the keys to the house on the completion date from my solicitor? If this is the case, I will appoint a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Eastwood?
On the day of completion you do not need to attend the conveyancers office in Eastwood. Conveyancing lawyers for you will transfer the purchase money to the seller's solicitors, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you will be able to pick up the keys from the selling Agents and move into your new home. Usually this happens early afternoon.
I currently have a mortgage with Principality for my property in Eastwood. Conveyancing has been completed 12 months ago. In the event that I decide to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform Principality?
Your original mortgage agreement with Principality will provide that you need their approval prior to renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Principality’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Principality will permit you to let out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Principality directly. You need not do this via a Principality conveyancing panel lawyer.
I've digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Eastwood solicitor - who is on the Barclays conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Barclays will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Barclays will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Eastwood surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
How does conveyancing in Eastwood differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Eastwood approach us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is finished. This is because developers in Eastwood 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 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Eastwood or who has acted in the same development.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on two weeks back in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Eastwood is where the house is located. What do you suggest?
Flying freeholds in Eastwood are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Eastwood you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Eastwood 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 residence.
I was pointed in your direction by a few property agents in Eastwood to locate a solicitor using your seach tool. Is there a financial upside for Estate Agents to promote your site rather than alternative conveyancing organisations?
We refuse to offer any financial incentive for directing people in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult a fee as a client could think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.
I've recently bought a leasehold flat in Eastwood. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to completion of my purchase?
Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.
If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).
Leasehold Conveyancing in Eastwood - Examples of Questions you should ask before Purchasing
-
Who manages the building? What prohibitions are contained in the Eastwood Lease? You should want to discover as much as you can about the managing agents as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you are often in the clutches of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to day to day matters such as the cleanliness of the communal areas. Enquire of prospective neighbours if they are happy with their service. On a final note, investigate as to the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the relevant party and precisely what it includes.