We are purchasing a 3 bedroom apartment in East Dean with a mortgage. We like our East Dean solicitor, however the mortgage company advise she’s not on their "panel". It seems we have no option but to instruct one of the mortgage company panel firms or keep our East Dean solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to act for them. This seems very unfair; can we not require that the bank use our East Dean conveyancer ?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’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. Another option that might be available is for your East Dean conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
I have Fifty Six years unexpired on my lease and require a lease extension for my flat in East Dean. Conveyancing solicitors on the Platform panel can deal with such extensions correct?
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 14/10/2026 the requirements read as follows :
I'm the sole recipient of my late mum's will with all property in now in my sole name, including the my former home in East Dean. The East Dean property was put into my name in September. I want to move. I do know about the Mortgage Lenders 6 month 'rule', meaning my proprietorship could be regarded the same way as though I had purchased the house in September. Will no one buy the property for half a year?
The CML handbook obliges conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." By the strict wording you may be affected by that. How practical a view lenders take of it, depend on the bank as this clause chiefly exists to capture subsales or the wholesaling and assigning of properties.
I currently have a mortgage with Bank of Ireland for my property in East Dean. Conveyancing was finalised some time ago. In the event that I decide to rent out the flat and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Bank of Ireland?
You must advise Bank of Ireland in advance of letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of Bank of Ireland’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will permit you to let out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Bank of Ireland directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel firm.
I am due to exchange contracts on my flat. I had a double glazing fitted in March 2007, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My buyer's mortgage company, Coventry BS are being problematic. The East Dean solicitor who is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel is saying indemnity insurance will be fine but Coventry BS are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do Coventry BS have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that Coventry BS have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Coventry BS may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing was correctly and safely installed. The indemnity insurance merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.
How does conveyancing in East Dean differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in East Dean come to us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is finished. This is because builders in East Dean usually purchase the site, 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in East Dean or who has acted in the same development.
We are one month into a leasehold purchase having been directed to a firm by the selling agent to do our conveyancing in East Dean. We are not happy. Could you help me find new lawyers?
A solicitor would have to be very bad to suggest changing them. Has the mortgage offer been generated? If so you need to make them aware of the new contact details and ensure the offer are issued to the new lawyers. The conveyancer needs to be on the lenders approved list to avoid escalating fees and complications. That should be your starting point. The search tool will help you find a bank approved conveyancer for your conveyancing in East Dean
I am buying a leasehold apartment in East Dean. Conveyancing quotes are averaging around £two thousand. Is that reasonable?
The average fee last year for conveyancing in East Dean was £1,395 excluding SDLT and HMLR charges.