We are about to sign contracts for a semi detached house in Andover. We encountered a snag. Our mortgage offer with Santander runs out on 10/2/2026 but the vendors are putting forward a completion date of 12/2/2026. Is it possible to prolong the mortgage offer?
The person best placed to address this question is your lawyer who will hopefully assess whether they should be discussing with the mortgage broker, vendor’s conveyancers, estate agents or indeed all parties based on what has gone on in your conveyancing as of today.
It is 10 years ago since I bought my property in Andover. Conveyancing solicitors have just been appointed on the sale but I am unable to track down my title deeds. Will this cause complications?
Don’t worry too much. First there is a possibility that the deeds will be with the lender or they may be in the possession of the solicitor who handled your purchase. Secondly in all probability the land will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors procuring up to date copy of the land registers. The vast majority of conveyancing in Andover involves registered property but in the rare situation where your home is unregistered it is more tricky but is resolvable.
we are a couple who decided to purchase a purpose built apartment in Andover with a homeloan from Coventry Building Society.We use our Andover conveyancing practitioner but Coventry Building Society advised that she’s not listed on their approved list of member firms. It seems we have little choice but to instruct a Coventry Building Society panel lawyer or keep our local solicitor and fork out for one of their panel ones to act for them. We feel as though this is unjust; Can we not simply insist that Coventry Building Society use our lawyer?
Unfortunately,no. The loan issued to you is subject to its terms and conditions, a common one being that conveyancers must be on the Coventry Building Society approved list. in the past, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could find one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Coventry Building Society
I am close to exchanging contracts on the sale of our home in Andover and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was constructed land that was not decontaminated. Any local lawyer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the purchasers used a web based conveyancing outfit rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Andover. Having lived in Andover for 5 years we know that this is a non issue. Is it a good idea to get in touch with our local Authority to get confirmation that there is no issue.
It would appear that you have a conveyancing firm currently acting for you. Are they able to advise? You should check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same ailment)
I used Action Conveyancing several years ago for my conveyancing in Andover. Now, I need my files however the law firm has closed. What do I do?
Do call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Andover of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
My husband and I are first time buyers - agreed a price, yet the property agent has warned us that the seller will only proceed if we instruct their chosen solicitors as they need an ‘expedited deal’. Our preferred option is to instruct a high street solicitor with experience of conveyancing in Andover
It is unlikely the owners are driving this. If they require ‘a quick sale', alienating a serious purchaser is going to damage their objectives. Try to communicate with the owners directly and explain that (a)you are motivated buyers (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances arranged © you are unencumbered (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you will continue to use your preferred Andover conveyancing lawyers - not the ones that will provide their estate agent a referral fee or hit his conveyancing targets set by HQ.