Planning permission from landowner for remortgage?

LouBay_2

We are currently trying to remortage our house, which we have owned for 2 years. The building society we are looking to switch to has asked us for evidence that we have permission from the landowners (we are leasehold) for an extension which was built over 30 years ago. We were not asked for this with our first mortgage. Moreover, they have only asked for this after we have paid the £800 arrangement fee to move our mortgage over to them.

We couldn't see the relevant proof amongst the paperwork we have, so got in touch with the landowners to request proof. They have replied today saying that they have no record of it and so to acquire this, we will be charged £495!

What is the best way to proceed? We have already paid £800 to get us where we are and with our first baby due in one month, we haven't got a stash of cash spare to buy the proof from the landowner. Do we HAVE to buy the proof? Any advice? Thanks...

kingstreet

Presumably, the lenders solicitor has requested this documentation. TBH it should have been dealt with at the time you purchased the property. Do you recall if any enquiry was made at that time?

It may be an idea to contact the original conveyancer from the time you purchased.

If it was not previously obtained, I see no alternative but to do so now. Changing to another lender may be an idea, but there's nothing to stop this happening again with someone else.

GMS

Tell them it was over 30 years ago and suggest you will ask your solicitor to put an indemnity policy in place.

That's the easiest and cheapest way if they agree.

Other than that it is a case of doing what they ask unfortunately.

Yorkie1

Is it not too late now for an indemnity policy - the freeholder is already on notice?

GMS

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Is it not too late now for an indemnity policy - the freeholder is already on notice?

To be honest I wouldn't know for sure. One for the legal eagles.