My friend's sister is a property lawyer. I hope that I will receive mate’s pricing for conveyancing, However if that does not come materialise, what kind of figure would I typically be looking at for conveyancing in Downe?
Do contrast pricing. Do use our comparison tool on this page. You will notice that prices may vary but the service one can expect are distinct between conveyancers as is true with most professions.
When does exchange of contracts occur in residential conveyancing in Downe and do I need to attend the lawyers office?
Where you are round the corner to our conveyancing solicitors in Downe you are invited in to sign the paperwork. However, the lender approved solicitors we work with offer countrywide coverage for conveyancing and provide as equally comprehensive and professional a job for you when communicating with you digitally. The signing of the contract is not when everything is set in stone. A signed contract is necessary for the firm to address the formalities at the appropriate time, which will usually be very shortly after signing. The procedure is is usually a five minute process, although where a long "chain" is in play, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Downe)to be in the office at the appropriate time.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Downe. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 28/4/2026, the requirements read as follows :
We had selected conveyancers locally in Downe on the Santander solicitor approved list. They have just invoiced me a further charge for handling the Santander mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set by Santander?
As unfair as it may seem, as long as it’s in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your property lawyer is entitled to charge a fee for this. The fee is not set by Santander but by your Downe solicitor. Numerous firms on the Santander panel will levy ’dealing with mortgage’ fee but some practices incorporate it on their overall fee.
I was told three weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by Skipton. Is it usual for Skipton to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Downe is approved on their conveyancing panel? Skipton have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their PI Insurance.
A lender would not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Skipton to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Skipton conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
After what seems like an age I have had an offer on a maisonette in Downe agreed to, the vendors do however have a connected purchase. The vendors have put an offer on on an apartment, however it’s not yet tied up, and have viewings of other properties booked. I have instructed a nearby conveyancing solicitor in Downe. What do I do now? At what point should I apply for the mortgage with Skipton?
It is usual to have concerns where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to incur expenses prematurely (home loan application is in the region of one thousand pounds, then valuation, Downe conveyancing search charges, etc). First, you must ensure that your solicitor is on the Skipton approved list. Concerning the subsequent steps this very much depends on the specifics of your transaction, motivation for the property and on the state of the market. During a rising market many home buyers would apply for a home loan with Skipton and pay for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they request their lawyer to proceed with the conveyancing in Downe.
As co-executor for the will of my grandfather I am selling a residence in Swansea but reside in Downe. My solicitor (based 260 miles from merequires that I execute a statutory declaration before the transaction finalising. Can you recommend a conveyancing practitioner in Downe who can attest and place their company stamp on the document?
Technically speaking you are unlikely to be required to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or qualified solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are based in Downe
Our conveyancing solicitor in Downe has informed me that he requires proof of ID documents stating that this is part of his retainer as a solicitor on the bank Solicitor panel. Can this be correct?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require Downe conveyancing solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identity of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing business. The Client Care letter that you need to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lawyer is right that the lender also require certain documents to be viewed. If a you refuse to provide ID verification documents, your conveyancer would not be able to accept instructions from you. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with the mortgage company's UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements