I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Coleford. My lender is Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 22/1/2026, the requirements read as follows :
We have agreed to purchase a house in Coleford. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Virgin Money be concerned?
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Virgin Money your lawyer must comply with the conveyancing requirements outlined in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Virgin Money. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook stipulates minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancing practitioners are required to report to Virgin Money where a lease fails to satisfy these specifications. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not restricted to Coleford.
We expect to receive a OIP from Santander this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Santander recommend any Coleford solicitors on the Santander conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer?
You will need to appoint Coleford solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Santander conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Santander through the process.
The mortgage over my property is with Virgin Money for my property in Coleford. Conveyancing has been completed 12 months ago. In the event that I decide to rent out the flat and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Virgin Money?
Your original mortgage agreement with Virgin Money will provide that you need their approval prior to letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of Virgin Money’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Virgin Money 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 Virgin Money directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Virgin Money conveyancing panel firm.
Is it necessary to pay for insurance to protect me from financial exposure to chancel repairs when buying a property in Coleford?
Unless a previous acquisition of the property took place post 12 October 2013 you can expect lawyers handling conveyancing in Coleford to continue to propose a a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.
I decided to have a survey completed on a property in Coleford before appointing conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. My surveyor has said that some mortgage companies may refuse to give a mortgage on such a premises.
It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different requirements from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to telephone us we can look into this further via 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 Coleford. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
I acquired a property in Coleford last 22/11/2024 and to date it is still not registered with HM Land Registry. It is part of a development site and my conveyancer told me that it may take twelve months to complete the registration formalities. I have called HMLR directly and they say that the initial application was cancelled due to failure to reply to requisitions. What can I do?
It is your solicitor that you must contact in order to satisfy any issues which have arisen as part of the registration formalities for your Coleford property. Normal Coleford conveyancing practice includes an undertaking on the part of the previous owner’s conveyancing practitioner that they will help resolve any requirements raised by HMLR so it may be a case of seeking to enforce that undertaking if necessary.