I am nearing exchange of contracts for my house in Maidstone and the estate agent has just called to advise that the purchasers are switching property lawyer. The reason given is that the mortgage company will only engage with solicitors on their approved list. On what basis would a leading lender only engage with specific solicitors rather the firm that they want to appoint for their conveyancing in Maidstone ?
Mortgage companies have always had panels of law firms that can act for them, but in the past few years big names such as Nationwide, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for decades.
Banks point to the increase in fraud by way of justification for the pruning – criteria have been narrowed as a smaller panel is easier to maintain. Banks tend not to reveal how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society claims that it is being contacted daily by practices that have been removed from panels. Some 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. Your buyers are not going to have any impact on this.
Are you able to vouch for a Aldermore approved Maidstone conveyancing firm finish our home move within 10 days? Am I best advised to choose a local Maidstone practice or an online firm?
We can recommend some very good Maidstone conveyancing firms. You can also walk up the high street in Maidstone. Approach a couple of firms and request to speak with a conveyancing solicitor for a fee estimate. Mention your time frames together with the reasons and get an assurance on your deadline. Select the one that genuine.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Maidstone. My lender is Accord Mortgages
Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 24/10/2026, the requirements read as follows :
My wife and I own a renovated Edwardian property in Maidstone. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Barclays Direct. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same address. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?
You need to review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Maidstone and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also enquire as to the situation with your conveyancing lawyer who conducted the work.
Taking into account that I am about to spend over three hundred thousand on a two bedroom apartment in Maidstone I would like to have a conversation with the solicitor concerning thehome move before instructing the firm. Can this be arranged?
Absolutely - it is our preference to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you speaking to the solicitor who will be carrying out your conveyancing in Maidstone.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - every client is unique person, not a matter reference. The law firms that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are quoted for residential conveyancing in Maidstone should be the amount on the final invoice that you end up paying.
My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Maidstone. I I would like to check if they are listed on the bank's conveyancing panel. Can you help?
One option is to contact the conveyancer to enquire if they are on the lender's approved list. If that does not help get in touch with us and we can investigate and revert. If they are not on the bank panel we can certainly arrange a reputable conveyancing solicitor in Maidstone on the approved list for your lender.