I am progressing with the sale of my home in Crook Log and the EA has just text me to warn that the buyers are switching property lawyer. The reason given is that the bank will only deal with property lawyers on their conveyancing panel. Why would a leading mortgage company only engage with certain law firms rather the firm that they want to select for their conveyancing in Crook Log ?
Lenders have always had panels of law firms they are content to work with, but in recent years big names such as Santander, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have acted for them for decades.
Banks point to the increase in fraud by way of justification for the cull – criteria have been narrowed as a smaller panel is easier to maintain. Banks tend not to reveal how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society claims that it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels. Plenty of firms are unaware that they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. Your purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
Some advice if I may. My Crook Log solicitor is advising me that he has toapply for Crook Log conveyancing searches stemming from the fact thatthe firm are on the Lloydssolicitor panel. Is this really necessary?
You have limited options available to you. As you are obtaining a home loan with a mortgage company your solicitor has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of your lender’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook provisions . Even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out Crook Log conveyancing searches.
We are buying a flat and need a conveyancing solicitor in Crook Log who is on the Nottingham approved panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a conveyancing firm?
Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Nottingham . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Crook Log.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Crook Log. My lender is Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 23/12/2025, the requirements read as follows :
Will my solicitor be making enquiries about flooding as part of the conveyancing in Crook Log.
Flooding is a growing risk for solicitors dealing with homes in Crook Log. Plenty of people will buy a property in Crook Log, completely expectant that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, leaving to one side the physical damage, if a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, adequate building insurance, or dispose of the property. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a property purchase to forewarn the buyer.
Conveyancers are not qualified to impart advice on flood risk, however there are a number of searches that may be carried out by the purchaser or on a buyer’s behalf which can figure out the risks in Crook Log. The standard property information forms given to a buyer’s lawyer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) contains a standard question of the owner to find out whether the property has suffered from flooding. In the event that the residence has been flooded in past which is not revealed by the seller, then a purchaser may issue a legal claim for losses stemming from an inaccurate answer. The purchaser’s conveyancers should also conduct an environmental search. This will reveal whether there is a recorded flood risk. If so, additional inquiries will need to be made.
Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Crook Log in advance of appointing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. My surveyor advised that some banks will not give a loan on a flying freehold property.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different instructions from Nationwide. If you e-mail us we can check with the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Crook Log. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Crook Log to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.