Can I use your services to locate a Conveyancing solicitor in Banbury even if I’m not buying or selling a house, for example if I intend to buy a shop in Banbury with a loan from Nottingham Building Society?
Our search tool is primarily utilised to help choose domestic conveyancing solicitors in Banbury but we have listed towards the end of this page a few Banbury commercial conveyancing firms. You will need to speak with the company directly to see if they can also act for Nottingham Building Society
Do I select a Licenced Conveyancer or Solicitor for conveyancing in Banbury?
Two types of professional can carry out conveyancing in Banbury namely licenced conveyancers or solicitors. The two can provide conveyancing services that required to complete the sale or purchase of property. They are both obliged to conduct Banbury conveyancing on similar standards and guidelines so you can be safe in the knowledge that your conveyancing will be properly administered and that all requirements and steps will be suitably attended to.
I had an offer accepted on an apartment in Banbury on 10/1/2025, valuation was booked 3 days later, received a clean bill of health. Conveyancer instructed, so the only thing outstanding was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Nottingham and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Nottingham conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?
A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Nottingham to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Nottingham conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
I've digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Banbury solicitor - who is on the RBS conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
RBS will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually RBS will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Banbury postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with RBS, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Banbury.
I have been on the look out for a ground for flat up to £245,000 and found one close by in Banbury I like with open areas and railway links nearby, however it's only got 52 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Banbury suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a short lease?
If you need a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will be an issue. Discount the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the property for a minimum of 2 years you can ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.
In sourcing the internet for the term conveyancing in Banbury it brings up many solicitorslocally. With so much choice what is the best way to find the suitable conveyancing solicitor for me?
The preferential method of finding the right conveyancer is via personal referral, so ask colleagues and those you trust who have bought a property in Banbury or the local estate agent or mortgage broker. Charges for conveyancing in Banbury differ, so it's advisable to request at least three estimates from varying types of conveyancers. Be sure to obtain confirmation that the fees are fixed.
I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have just been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Banbury. Conveyancing lawyers have are soon to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?
Most houses in Banbury are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Banbury so you should seriously consider looking for a Banbury conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions such as obtaining the freeholder’spermission to carry out changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a maintenance charge towards the upkeep of the estate where the house is located on an estate. Your lawyer will appraise you on the various issues.
Banbury Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to buying
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On the whole the cost for major works are not incorporated into the service charges, albeit that some managing agents in Banbury require leaseholders to pay into a sinking fund created for the specific intention of building a fund for major works. How is the lease structured? Is anyone aware of any major works on the horizon that could add a premium to the maintenance fees?
My work colleague mentioned that when selecting a conveyancing firm they need approved by your lender. I am first time buyer with but I have an AIP via HSBC and I already have a family conveyancing lawyer in Banbury lined up. Does Halifax need an approved lawyer to be instructed? If so, where do I find that list so I can pick a conveyancing solicitor in Banbury?
You should choose a solicitor that is on the Halifax panel. The first thing to do is ring your chosen Banbury conveyancing solicitor to check if they are on the Halifax panel. If they are not approved you have a number of options open to you here:
- Complete the purchase with your preferred Banbury solicitor but Halifax will undoubtedly retain a conveyancer from their approved list. The net result is additional fees together with likely interruption.
- Get a fresh conveyancer to conduct the conveyancing, ensuring that they are on the Halifax conveyancing panel.
- Appeal to your conveyancer to seek to join the bank panel.