We are purchasing a 2 bedroom apartment in Cambourne with a mortgage. We like our Cambourne solicitor, but the mortgage company advise she’s not on their "panel". It seems we have no option but to use one of the lender panel conveyancing practices or keep our Cambourne property lawyer and pay for one of their panel lawyers to represent them. This feels very unfair; is there anything we can do?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose 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 Cambourne conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
We are about to exchange contracts for a garden flat in Cambourne. We encountered a stumbling block. Our loan offer with Alliance & Leicester expires on 9/9/2025 but the vendors are putting forward a completion date of 11/9/2025. Is it possible to extend the loan offer?
The best person to address this concern is your conveyancer who is in a position to determine if he or she is corresponding with the mortgage broker, seller’s lawyers, selling agents or possibly all three given what has gone on in your conveyancing to date.
My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Cambourne. I need to find out whether they are on the The Mortgage Works conveyancing panel. Could you help?
You should call your solicitor and enquire whether they can act for the lender. Alternatively please get in touch with The Mortgage Works who may be able to help.
I am purchasing a terrace house in Cambourne. Our aim is to an extension at the rear at the property.Will legal due diligence on the property involve checks to see if these works are permitted?
Your property lawyer will review the deeds as conveyancing in Cambourne will on occasion identify restrictions in the title documents which prohibit categories of changes or necessitated the consent of a 3rd party. Many works require local authority planning permissions and approval in accordance building regulations. Certain areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or affect extensions. You should check these things with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.
When it comes to mortgage companies such as Nationwide, do Cambourne conveyancers have to pay a yearly amount to be on the list of approved solicitors?
We are unaware of any lender fees to register on their list of approved firms, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.
My wife and I have organised the release of further funds on our mortgage from Nationwide as we wish to carry out a loft conversion to our property in Cambourne. Are we obliged to select a high street Cambourne solicitor on the Nationwide conveyancing panel to handle the paperwork?
Nationwide would not normally require 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 Nationwide panel.
Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up as part of conveyancing in Cambourne?
Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Cambourne. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’
I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Cambourne for my home move. Can I check a firm’s record with the legal regulator?
Members of the public may review presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA sometimes monitor call for training reasons.