I have just been advised by my estate agent that my Bishops Stortford solicitor is not on the lender Conveyancing panel. How can I be sure that this is correct?
You need to call your Bishops Stortford lawyer directly. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to notify you what has happened. If they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the conveyancing panel for your mortgage company.
I have given 2 months notice to my current landlord and have to leave my rented flat in Bishops Stortford by the end of next month. Conveyancing on my purchase is underway. Is it possible to complete in three weeks as I wish to avoid having to find temporary accommodation?
It is unwise to serve notice on a rental unless exchange of contracts has taken place. If you have not already done so, update to your conveyancer and request that they cajole the owners lawyers, try to an acceptable time-line that everyone will work towards
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Bishops Stortford. My lender is Chelsea Building Society
Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 13/2/2026, the requirements read as follows :
Does a directory service exist listing Barclays panel solicitors in Bishops Stortford on the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Website?
No. There is no such facility on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few banks make their panel listings viewable on the web. If you are looking for a Bishops Stortford solicitor on the Barclays please make the most of our facility.
My partner and I have organised the release of further monies on our mortgage from HSBC as we want to conduct a loft conversion to our house in Bishops Stortford. Do we need to select a bricks and mortar Bishops Stortford solicitor on the HSBC conveyancing panel to deal with the paperwork?
HSBC do not ordinarily instruct firms on their conveyancing panel to handle such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the HSBC list.
The mortgage over my property is with Leeds Building Society for my property in Bishops Stortford. Conveyancing was finalised a year ago. In the event that I decide to rent out the flat and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Leeds Building Society?
You must advise Leeds Building Society before letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of Leeds Building Society’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Leeds Building Society will permit you to let 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 Leeds Building Society directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel lawyer.
How does conveyancing in Bishops Stortford differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Bishops Stortford come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is constructed. This is because developers in Bishops Stortford typically acquire the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Bishops Stortford or who has acted in the same development.
My husband and I are first time buyers - had an offer accepted, yet the estate agent told us that the seller will only move forward if we use their preferred lawyers as they need an ‘expedited deal’. My instinct tells me that we should use a family solicitor with experience of conveyancing in Bishops Stortford
We suspect that the owner is unaware of this demand. Should the owner want ‘a quick sale', turning down a serious purchaser is counter productive. Contact the vendors directly and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances arranged © you do not need to sell (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you intend to appoint your own,trusted Bishops Stortford conveyancing firm - rather thanthose that will earn their estate agent a introducer fee or achieve conveyancing figures set by HQ.