Me and my partner are purchasing a 1 bedroom apartment in Deal with a mortgage. We like our Deal conveyancer, but the mortgage company says he's not on their "panel". It appears that we have little option but to select one of the bank panel firms or continue with our Deal lawyer and pay for one of their panel lawyers to act for them. This seems very unfair; can we not insist that the lender use our Deal conveyancer ?
No, not really. 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. A further alternative is for your Deal conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
I am due to complete on the purchase of a house in Deal but as a result of wreckage from the recent storms I have was able negotiate reparation from the owner in the sum of £2k in the form of a reduction in the price. This was going to be addressed as part of a side agreement yet Yorkshire BS are not allowing this. Should they have been informed?
The property lawyer that is on a Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel is required to disclose to Yorkshire BS of any amendments to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyer to report the reduction to Yorkshire BS then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, Yorkshire BS and you would have to appoint a new conveyancing practitioner for your conveyancing in Deal.
Can your site be used to locate a Conveyancing solicitor in Deal even if I’m not buying or selling a house, for example where I want to acquire an office in Deal with a loan from Halifax?
Our comparison service is mainly used to help choose domestic conveyancing solicitors in Deal but we have listed towards the end of this page a few Deal commercial conveyancing firms. You will need to speak with the solicitors directly to establish if they can also act for Halifax
My lender has suggested solicitors on their panel based in Deal but I would rather choose a conveyancing lawyer in Deal or nearer to where I live. Can you help?
It is by no means the case that all Deal conveyancing practitioners are on all lender’s conveyancing panel. Use the above find an approved solicitor tool to find a Deal conveyancing firm on the on the mortgage company panel.
I am assisting my sister sell her flat in Deal. Does the conveyancer commission an energy assessment or it is for the owner to see to?
Following the demise of HIPs, energy performance certificates became a compulsory part of moving property. An EPC should be commissioned before the property is marketed. It is not something that conveyancers ordinarily arrange. If you are instructing a Deal conveyancing lawyer they might be willing to arrange EPC’s due to their contacts with reputable Deal accredited person
When it comes to mortgage companies such as Barclays, do Deal lawyers face a yearly amount to be on the list of approved solicitors?
We are not aware of any mortgage company fees to register on their panel, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.
How can we tell if a Deal conveyancing solicitor on the Principality panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in Deal seeking recommendations is a good starting point. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always advocate that you speak with the lawyer handling your conveyancing.
How does conveyancing in Deal differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Deal approach us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is finished. This is because builders in Deal tend to 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 conveyancers 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 Deal or who has acted in the same development.