I am getting closer to an exchange on a house in Hanwell and my mum and dad have transferred the exchange deposit to my conveyancing practitioner. I am now informed that as the deposit has been received from someone other than me my conveyancer needs to disclose this to my mortgage company. I am advised that, in also acting for the lender he must inform them that the balance of the purchase price is not just from me. I advised the mortgage company about my parents' contribution when I applied for the home loan, so is it really necessary for this now to delay the deal?

Your lawyer is legally required to check with mortgage company to make sure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. The solicitor can only disclose this to your lender if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.

I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Hanwell. My lender is Nationwide Building Society

Nationwide Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 27/1/2026, the requirements read as follows :

I own a 4 bedroom Georgian property in Hanwell. Conveyancing lawyer acted for me and The Royal Bank of Scotland. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are two entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold with the matching property. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??

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 Hanwell and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also enquire as to the situation with your conveyancing lawyer who conducted the purchase.

I decided to have a survey completed on a house in Hanwell before appointing conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor has said that some lenders will not issue a loan on such a property.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different requirements for example to Halifax. If you call us we can check with the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Hanwell. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Hanwell especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Hanwell.

I own a leasehold flat in Hanwell. Conveyancing and Yorkshire Building Society mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1996. The conveyancing practitioner in Hanwell who previously acted has long since retired. Any advice?

The first thing you should do is contact HMLR to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to instruct a Hanwell conveyancing lawyer to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for less than a fiver. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

After months of correspondence we cannot agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Hanwell. Does the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal have jurisdiction to calculate the appropriate figures?

in cases where there is a missing freeholder or where there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to decide the premium.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a Hanwell premises is 6 Jessamine Road in August 2013. The Tribunals valuation (as annexed to the decision) calculated the amount payable as £18,355 for the freehold reversion This case related to 2 flats. The unexpired term as at the valuation date was 72.39 years.