We are hoping to purchase a 2 bedroom flat in Hockley with a mortgage. We wish to retain our Hockley solicitor, however the mortgage company advise she’s not on their "panel". It seems we have little option but to use one of the lender panel solicitors or keep our Hockley solicitor and pay for one of their panel firms to represent them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?
No, not really. 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. Another option that might be available is for your Hockley conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Is there a search tool that I can use to investigate if the solicitor conducting my conveyancing in Hockley is on the mortgage lender’sconveyancing panel? I am looking to avoid the situation of having one lawyer for me and one for Barnsley Building Society thus paying £175.00 in supplemental conveyancing fees.
Please do make use of the find a lender approved solicitor tool on this web page. Pick the mortgage company and type ‘Hockley’ or your location and you will see a number of lawyer offices in Hockley or nearest you.
Do commercial conveyancing searches disclose planned roadworks that could affect a commercial land in Hockley?
Many commercial conveyancing solicitors in Hockley will conduct a SiteSolutions Highways report as it dramatically cuts the time that conveyancers invest in researching accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Hockley. The report provides definitive data on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Hockley.
For each commercial conveyancing transaction in Hockley it is critical to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. Failure to identify developments where adoption procedures have not been dealt with adequately can result in delays to Hockley commercial conveyancing deals as well as pose a risk to future intentions for the site. These searches are not ordered for residential conveyancing in Hockley.
I used Wolstenholmes a few years ago for my conveyancing in Hockley. Now, I need my documents but the law firm has closed. What do I do?
You should call 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 Hockley of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously used, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
Is it best to appoint a Hockley conveyancing solicitor who is local to the property I am hoping to buy? We have a good friend who can carry out the legal work however her office is a couple of hundredmiles away.
The benefit of a high street Hockley conveyancing practice is that you can pop in to sign paperwork, present your ID and pester them where appropriate. They will also have local intelligence which is a plus. That being said nothing is more important than finding someone that will do a good and efficient job. If other friends have instructed your friend and the majority were content that should trump using an unfamiliar Hockley conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being based in the area.
Why can I not complete my conveyancing in Hockley on May bank holiday?
Because on completion the funds will pass between the banks of the purchaser and seller's solicitor and at present this can only occur on a working day. It is not possible to complete on a saturday or sunday either.