Problematic Properties Archives - About Conveyancing

Flying freehold mortgages: 122 lenders changed their requirements. What applied when you bought?

Sep 8, 2026

—

by

in Lender Handbook Archive, Problem Property

The property situation remains unchanged, but mortgage requirements for flying freeholds have significantly altered, as highlighted by Lexsure, which recorded 328 changes from 2009 to 2026 across 122 lenders in England and Wales. These changes impact the ease of selling or remortgaging properties with flying freeholds, raising essential questions regarding lender guidelines and advice during…

Lenders Put Conveyancers in a Stranglehold over Japanese Knotweed

Dec 7, 2016

—

by

Simon Seaton

in Japanese knotweed, Problem Property

Lenders such as HSBC have updated its requirements regarding Japanese knotweed for prospective mortgage applicants. If knotweed is present on or near a property, a comprehensive survey and treatment plan from accredited professionals are necessary. Changes in lender requirements over time may complicate future sales or remortgage situations involving previously undisclosed knotweed.

Post Brexit: Managing Flying Freehold Risk and Lender Compliance

Aug 29, 2016

—

by

Simon Seaton

in CQS Conveyancing, CQS Policy Templates

The following overview records the market position, legal landscape, and enquiries raised during 2016 (following the EU referendum). At that time, a cooling market led mortgage lenders to tighten compliance checks under the CML Handbook (now the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook), placing heavy scrutiny on “problematic properties” such as flying freeholds. While these queries highlight…

Tag: Problematic Properties

Flying freehold mortgages: 122 lenders changed their requirements. What applied when you bought?

Lenders Put Conveyancers in a Stranglehold over Japanese Knotweed

Post Brexit: Managing Flying Freehold Risk and Lender Compliance