It has come to my attention via my lender that my Elephant and Castle the law firm I have appointed is not on the bank Solicitor panel. What can I do to be sure if this is correct?
The first thing you need to do is to contact your Elephant and Castle conveyancer. You lawyer should notify you of the situation. Where they are not on the panel they may recommend you to a Elephant and Castle conveyancing firm that is on the approved list of lawyers for your mortgage company.
Our solicitor has identified a a problem with the lease for the apartment we are purchasing in Elephant and Castle. The seller’s lawyers have put forward defective title insurance as a solution. We are happy with insurance and will pay for it. Our solicitor says that he must be satisfied that the bank is willing to move forward with this solution. Are we the client or is the mortgage company ?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the risk of a conflict of interest, you and the bank are the client. Your property lawyer must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects with the lease so that the mortgage company can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Elephant and Castle. My lender is Tesco Bank
Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 11/12/2025, the requirements read as follows :
We are getting the release of further funds on our mortgage from Nationwide as we wish to carry out alterations to our house in Elephant and Castle. Are we obliged to appoint a local Elephant and Castle solicitor on the Nationwide conveyancing panel to deal with the paperwork?
Nationwide don't usually instruct a member of their approved list of lawyers to deal with the formalities. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Nationwide list.
Last month we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Yorkshire BS. Elephant and Castle conveyancing lawyers have been selected. How long does it take for Yorkshire BS to issue the offer to the solicitor?
There is no definitive answer here. Have Yorkshire BS done the survey? Have you advised Yorkshire BS as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel? Sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued.
We expect to receive a DIP from Coventry BS this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Coventry BS recommend any Elephant and Castle solicitors on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?
You will need to appoint Elephant and Castle solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Coventry BS through the process.
I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing practitioner in Elephant and Castle for my home move. Is there any facility to see a firm’s record with the legal regulator?
Anyone may review published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions stemming from inquisitions commenced on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors record, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA could recorded call for training purposes.
What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Elephant and Castle conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?
When appointing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Elephant and Castle conveyancing firm) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you talk with two or three firms including non Elephant and Castle conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions could be of use:
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What volume of lease extensions have they conducted in Elephant and Castle in the last twenty four months?
I am the leaseholder of a ground flat in Elephant and Castle. Given that I can not reach agreement with the landlord, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal make a decision on the amount due for a lease extension?
in cases where there is a absentee landlord or if there is disagreement about what the lease extension should cost, under the relevant statutes you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to assess the price.
An example of a Lease Extension case for a Elephant and Castle residence is Ground Floor Flat 39 Bronsart Road in May 2010. Following a vesting order by West London County Court the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal concluded that the price to be paid for the extended lease of the premises was Thirteen Thousand Two hundred pounds (£13,200) in accordance with the valuation. The extended lease was granted for a term of 90 years from the expiry date of the Lease and at a peppercorn ground rent from the date of the vesting order. This case affected 1 flat. The remaining number of years on the lease was 74.77 years.