Freehold vs Leasehold
Freehold: you own building + land outright, indefinitely, with no ground rent. Most detached houses are freehold. Leasehold: you hold a long-term right of use (125, 250 or 999 years); the freeholder retains the land. Nearly all London flats are leasehold. If the remaining lease drops below 80 years, resale becomes difficult.
Choosing a Solicitor
You must use an SRA-registered (Solicitors Regulation Authority) firm. Optivest's panel solicitors offer a Turkish-speaking channel and fixed fees. You can choose an independent solicitor too — but there should be no conflict of interest between developer, buyer and mortgage bank.
Searches (Enquiries)
Local Authority Search: planning permissions, road projects. Drainage & Water: sewerage and water supply. Environmental: contamination and flood risk. Chancel Repair (for older properties): church-repair liability. All searches take 2-4 weeks combined.
Title Deeds + Land Registration
The existing title is reviewed in detail: easements, restrictive covenants and boundaries are clarified. After completion, the title is submitted to HM Land Registry (registration takes 15-30 days). You receive your official certificate by email.
Frequently Asked Questions
+ Do I need to come to the UK myself?
No. All signatures can be done in Turkey via a notarised Power of Attorney. Your solicitor handles every stage by email.
+ How long does land registration take?
15-30 days from completion day. During that window the property is legally yours, but the official certificate arrives later.