Me and my fiance are purchasing a 2 bedroom apartment in Freshford with a mortgage. We would like to retain our Freshford solicitor, however the mortgage company says he's not on their "panel". It appears that we have little choice but to instruct one of the mortgage company panel solicitors or keep our Freshford lawyer as well as pay for one of their panel firms to act for them. This feels very unfair; can we not require that the bank use our Freshford property lawyer ?
Unfortunately,no. Your mortgage offer 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 Freshford conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
It is 10 years ago since I purchased my home in Freshford. Conveyancing solicitors have just been instructed on the sale but I am unable to find the title documents. Is this a problem?
Don’t worry too much. Firstly the deeds may be retained by your mortgage company or they could be in the possession of the lawyers who oversaw your purchase. Secondly in most cases the property will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing lawyers acquiring current official copies of the land registers. Nearly all conveyancing in Freshford involves registered property but in the unlikely event that your property is unregistered it is more tricky but is resolvable.
Our mortgage company has recommended a law firm on their panel based in Freshford but I would rather instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Freshford or nearer to where I live. Are you able to help?
The minority of Freshford conveyancing firms are approved and listed on all banks conveyancing panel. Please make the most of our find an approved solicitor tool to identify a Freshford conveyancing conveyancer on the on the lender panel.
The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build apartment in Freshford. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.
Set out below is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Freshford
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The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Please supply a car parking plan. Please supply evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided.
My brother has suggested that I appoint his lawyers for conveyancing in Freshford. Should I find my own solicitor?
There are no two ways about it the best way to choose a conveyancing lawyer is to seek referrals from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor that you are are thinking of instructing.
My husband and I are hoping to buy a 2 bedroom first floor flatin Freshford with a mortgage from a mortgage company. We have selected a conveyancer in Freshford yet our bank says she’s not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct one of the our mortgage company panel firms or keep our Freshford solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent our lender. This seems very unfair; Can we not simply insist that our bank use our Freshford lawyer?
No, not really. The mortgage company home loan offered to you is subject to conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank's conveyancing panel. Until recently, most banks had open panels, including almost all conveyancing solicitors in Freshford : 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 lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for your lender.