My fiance and I wish to acquire a 3 bedroom apartment in Becontree with a mortgage from Halifax.We use our Becontree conveyancing solicitor but Halifax advised that she’s not listed on their approved list of firms. We have to appoint a Halifax panel firm or keep our preferred solicitor and pay for a Halifax panel lawyer to act for them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?
Unfortunately,no. The loan issued to you contains various provisions, a common one being that conveyancers needs to be on the Halifax conveyancing panel. in the past, most mortgage companies had large numbers of solicitors 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 lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Halifax
Have just purchased a repossessed house at auction in Becontree. Conveyancing is required. What happens now?
Given that you have now to in every practical sense signed on the dotted line you should find a conveyancing practitioner as a matter of priority as you now have a fast approaching a fixed date to complete the conveyancing. Every auction property will ordinarily have an associated auction pack. This will include the copy title deeds, local authority and drainage searches. In the case of leasehold premises the legal pack may contain a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and associated conveyancing paperwork pertinent to leasehold premises. You should hand this to the lawyer working for you ASAP. You also need to ensure that that you have the requisite funding in order to complete on the date specified in the contract.
I currently have a mortgage with Virgin Money for my property in Becontree. Conveyancing was finalised months ago. If I am intending to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Virgin Money?
Virgin Money must be informed of your intention before renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Virgin Money’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Virgin Money will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Virgin Money directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Virgin Money conveyancing panel lawyer.
I have instructed a Becontree lawyer having made sure that they are on the TSB conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
TSB will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually TSB 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 solicitor 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 Becontree postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with TSB, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Becontree.
Just had an offer accepted on a new build flat in Becontree. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.
Set out below is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Becontree
-
Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Please supply a car parking plan.
I decided to have a survey completed on a property in Becontree in advance of retaining conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor advised that some lenders tend not issue a loan on a flying freehold house.
It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different instructions for example to Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can check with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Becontree. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Becontree especially if they are familiar with such properties in Becontree.
I am downsizing from my home. My past lawyers have shut. It would be helpful to have a recommendation of a conveyancing firm. I happen to live in Becontree if that makes things easier.
Do use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Becontree. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with regulated solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs smoothly.
I purchased a property in Becontree last 12/6/2025 and to date it is still not recorded with HM Land Registry. It is part of a new estate and my conveyancing practitioner told me that it may take twelve months to register. I have contacted HMLR directly and they have informed me the initial application was cancelled due to questions not being addressed in time. What can I do?
Call your lawyer - Where you are unsatisfied with the responses, enquire as to their internal complaints procedure and escalate your concerns to a Complaints Manager. Registrations for Becontree conveyancing are not known to be significantly delayed.