Do the Building Society Association intend to launch a online directory to list law firms on the Melton Mowbray Building Society conveyancing panel for instance in Hampshire?
We are not aware of any plans on the part of the BSA to develop such a register.
I am buying a property in Hampshire. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Lloyds have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Lloyds your lawyer must comply with the conveyancing instructions outlined in Part two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Lloyds. The CML Handbook includes minimum provisions for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancing practitioners are required to report to Lloyds where a lease does not comply with these requirements. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties nationwide and is not limited to Hampshire.
Completion of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Hampshire. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
Most lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Team at head office. We understand that complaints to a lender are sorted out very quickly. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.
I've digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Hampshire solicitor - who is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Kent Reliance will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Kent Reliance will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your solicitor will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Hampshire postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Kent Reliance, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Hampshire.
Do I need to pay for insurance to protect me from financial exposure to chancel repairs when acquiring a residence in Hampshire?
Unless a previous purchase of the house took place post 12 October 2013 you may take it that solicitors handling conveyancing in Hampshire to remain encouraging a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.
I was recommended by a few estate agents in Hampshire to find a property lawyer on your site. Is there a financial advantage for Estate Agents to market your services over and above alternative conveyancing organisations?
We refuse to make any financial incentive for pointing buyers and sellers to this site. We thought it would be too underhand to pay a commission because a client could think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.
We are 3 weeks into a leasehold purchase having been referred to solicitors by the high street agent to do our conveyancing in Hampshire. I am not happy. Can you help me find new conveyancers?
A solicitor would need to be really bad to suggest changing them. Has the loan offer been sent? If so you will need to advise them of the new contact details and have the mortgage documents are re-sent. Your solicitor ideally should be on the mortgage company panel to avoid supplemental fees and frustration. That should be your starting point. The search tool should help you find a lender approved solicitor for your home move in Hampshire
How much experience do your Hampshire conveyancing solicitors have with Help To Buy, Shared Equity and similar schemes?
Hampshire conveyancing lawyers help thousands of people move home every year and helped lots of clients through the Help To Buy scheme. The chances are that whatever makes your case unique Hampshire conveyancers have worked on recent similar matters.