I am in the process of selling my home in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont and the estate agent has just telephoned to say that the purchasers are switching solicitor. The reason given is that the bank will only deal with solicitors on their conveyancing panel. On what basis would a big named lender only deal with certain law firms rather the firm that they want to select for their conveyancing in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont ?
Banks have always had panels of law firms that can act for them, but in recent years big names such as Yorkshire Building Society, have considered and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have acted for them for decades.
Lenders blame a rise in fraud as the reason for the reduction – criteria have been stiffened as a smaller panel is easier to keep an eye on. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels. Plenty of firms are unaware that they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. The purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
I have given 8 weeks notice to my existing landlord and have to leave my let out property in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont by 9/7/2026. Conveyancing on my purchase has just started. How realistic is it to complete in 4 weeks as I wish to avoid having to move into temporary accommodation?
Generally one should not serve notice on a rental until you have exchanged. Assuming that you have not already done so, contact to your solicitor and urge them to they apply pressure on the sellers side, try to an acceptable time-line that everyone will work towards
I used Stirling Law a few years ago for my conveyancing in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont. Now, I need my files but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?
Do contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
I'm purchasing my first flat in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont with the aid of help to buy. The developers refused to budge the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of fixtures and fittings instead. The property agent advised me not disclose to my lawyer about this side-deal as it would adversely affect my mortgage with TSB. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on two weeks back in what should have been a quick, chain free conveyancing. Gerrards Cross and Chalfont is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?
Flying freeholds in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Gerrards Cross and Chalfont you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds diligently. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.
Are Gerrards Cross and Chalfont conveyancing solicitors duty bound by the Law Society to publish transparent conveyancing figures?
Inbuilt into the Solicitors Code of Conduct are set rules and regulations as to how the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) allow solicitors to publicise their charges to clients.The Law Society have a practice note giving advice on how to publicise transparent charges to avoid breaching any such rule. Practice notes are not legal advice issued by the Law Society and is not to be regarded as the only standard of good practice a conveyancing solicitor should adhere to. The Practice Note does, however, constitute the Law Society’s view of acceptable practice for publicising conveyancing charges, and accordingly it’s a recommended read for any solicitor or conveyancer in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont or further afield.