Free legal fees - leasehold property

Peony2016

We're looking to remortgage our leasehold flat, since our 2-year fixed deal ends in April. We've decided we'll either go with Nationwide or TSB - both are offering a 2 year fix at 1.79% and no product fees.
TSB offer free legals & £150 cashback. Nationwide offer free legals or £500 cashback.

Nationwide specify that their free legal work does not cover legal fees in relation to leasehold properties. Is this usual?
I've tried asking TSB to confirm whether their free legals will cover any legal fees related to our leasehold ownership, but all they've sent me is a list of their additional fees. The only thing on there that I can see that might be relevant is a £10 fee for 'ordering documents or leases referred to in office copies (excluding disbursements)'.

The only thing that might be unusual in our situation is that a different company acquired the freehold from the developers in February last year (we bought our flat new build so once all of the flats had sold, the developers sold the freehold to another company). We were notified at the time but never had to sign any new documents. Could this attract a legal fee for our remortgage?

Trying to decide whether to go with TSB and get free legals +£150 cashback, or go with Nationwide, pay the legal fees ourselves and get £500 cashback.

Edi81

I remortgaged to nationwide and recall paying £100 or so for the leasehold element.
This is standard with leasehold.

Thrugelmir

LD2016 wrote: »

Nationwide specify that their free legal work does not cover legal fees in relation to leasehold properties. Is this usual?

Leasehold can well include an unquantifiable time element. Hences lenders reluctance to write an open cheque.

Edi81

My original purchase had some issues
Due to a missing page in the copy of the lease.
Can!!!8217;t say I blame them for requiring additional recompense for doing the work.

kingstreet

Find a solicitor.

Establish the solicitor is on the Nationwide panel and agree fees for the job. Chances are, the £500 will cover it but make sure up-front. The solicitor will know what questions to ask about the management company.

Use Nationwide and take the cashback. Free legals are a nightmare most brokers are happy to see the end of...