Is the fact that my solicitor in Chipstead is not listed on my mortgage company's solicitor panel that there is a problem with the standard of the firm’s work?
That would most likely be an incorrect assumption to make. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator revealed 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The most common reasons for removal are: (1) lack of transactions (2) the solicitor is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. Should you be concerned you should contact the Chipstead conveyancing practice and enquire why they are no longer on the approved list for your bank.
We're in Chipstead, First timers buying with a mortgage (lender is Santander , and our lawyer is on the Santander conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the Santander conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancing practitioner should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.
I am intent on selling our house in Chipstead and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was built on contaminated land. A high street Chipstead conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the buyers are using a national conveyancing outfit as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Chipstead. Having lived in Chipstead for three years we know of no issue. Do we get in touch with our local Authority to get confirmation that there is no issue.
It would appear that you have a conveyancing solicitor already. Are they able to advise? You need to enquire of 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 life insurance to cover that same sickness)
4 months have gone by following my purchase conveyancing in Chipstead concluded. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £160,000. Why the discrepancy?
The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the property from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.
I'm converting the mortgage on my existing home to a BTL mortgage with Barclays Direct and I will use the ballance of the raised equity as a deposit on a second house. The neighborhood we are talking about is Chipstead. Will your solicitors be able to act for the two lenders and link together the two deals?
Do use our comparison tool on this site to be sure that the solicitors are on the relevant lender panels. Having checked that they are the lawyer will be able to tie up the two deals but you should talk with you lawyer and specify your expectations and requirements.
I see that you have a post code search directory identifying solicitors on the lender conveyancing panel. Do Chipstead conveyancing firms pay you a commission if I appoint them for my own house purchase?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the mortgage company conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Chipstead.