My husband and I are planning to purchase a 2 bedroom apartment in Halstead with a mortgage. We wish to retain our Halstead conveyancer, but the bank says she’s not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the lender panel solicitors or retain our Halstead conveyancing practitioner and pay for one of their panel firms to act for them. We feel that this is unjust; are we not able to insist that the lender use our Halstead property lawyer ?
No, not really. Your mortgage offer 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 Halstead conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Halstead. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 2/6/2025, the requirements read as follows :
What will a local search tell me about the house we're buying in Halstead?
Halstead conveyancing often starts with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search company for instance Onsearch The local search plays an important role in many a Halstead conveyancing purchase; as long as you wish to avoid any nasty surprises after you move into your property. The search will supply data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of 13 topic sections.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I put an offer in two weeks back in what should have been a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Halstead is where the house is located. Can you offer any assistance?
Flying freeholds in Halstead are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Halstead you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds diligently. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Halstead 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.
I'm remortgaging my primary home to a buy to let loan with The Mortgage Works and intend to use the remaining equity towards another property. The area we are looking at is Halstead. Will your lawyers be able to act for both sets of mortgage companies and tie in the conveyances?
Make use of our comparison tool on this page to be sure that the conveyancers are on the appropriate lender panels. On the basis that they are your conveyancer should be able to tie up the two deals but you should talk with you conveyancer and make clear your desired outcome and needs.
As co-executor for the will of my uncle I am selling a property in Monmouth but I am based in Halstead. My lawyer (approximately 235 miles from meneeds me to sign a statutory declaration before completion. Could you suggest a conveyancing lawyer in Halstead to witness this legal document for me?
strictly speaking you are unlikely to need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally or notary public or solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are Halstead based