I am 3 weeks into the sale of my apartment in Custom House and the estate agent has just called to advise that the buyers are appointing a new law firm. The excuse is that the mortgage company will only work with property lawyers on their conveyancing panel. On what basis would a big named mortgage company only deal with specific lawyers rather the firm that they want to select to handle their conveyancing in Custom House ?
Lenders have always had panels of law firms they are content to work with, but in recent years big names such as HSBC, have considered and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have represented them for more than 15 years.
Lending institutions point to the increase in fraud as the reason for the reduction – criteria have been narrowed as a smaller panel is easier to oversee. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says 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 buyers are not going to have any sway in the decision.
We are a couple about to sign contracts for a property in Custom House. We have hit a snag. The mortgage offer with Chelsea Building Society runs out on 23/2/2026 but the sellers are insisting on a completion date of 25/2/2026. Is it possible to extend the loan expiry date?
The best person to address this issue is your solicitors who will determine whether they better off negotiating with the bank, owner’s lawyers, selling agents or indeed all three based on the history of your conveyancing as of today.
I opted to have a survey completed on a property in Custom House ahead of instructing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor has said that some mortgage companies tend not grant a mortgage on this type of property.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different instructions from Nationwide. If you e-mail us we can investigate further via the relevant lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Custom House. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
What does commercial conveyancing in Custom House cover?
Non domestic conveyancing in Custom House incorporates a wide range of advice, provided by qualified solicitors, relating to business premises. By way of example, this area of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more commonly, the assignment of existing business tenancies or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial loans and the termination of tenancies.
I have been sourcing a conveyancing practitioner in Custom House for my remortgage. Can I see a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?
Anyone can review published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from investigations started on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For details Pre 2008, or to check a firm's record, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes recorded telephone calls for training purposes.
I am looking to buy a property and require a conveyancing solicitor in Custom House who is on the bank conveyancing panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a firm?
Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for the bank who carry out conveyancing in Custom House. We dont recommend any particular solicitor.