Me and my partner are purchasing a 3 bedroom flat in March with a mortgage. We like our March solicitor, but the bank says he's not on their "panel". It seems we have little option but to select one of the bank panel solicitors or keep our March lawyer and pay for one of their panel firms to represent them. We feel that this is unjust; is there anything we can do?
Unfortunately,no. 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. A further alternative is for your March conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in March. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 1/3/2026, the requirements read as follows :
I am helping my sister sell her property in March. Will the solicitor arrange an energy assessment or it is for the owner to see to?
After the abolition of Home Information Packs, energy performance certificates was left as a mandatory part of selling a house. An energy assessment needs to be commissioned before the property is placed on the market. It is not something that solicitors normally organise. Where you are instructing a March conveyancing solicitor they might help arrange energy assessments given their relationships with long established local providers
Can you point me to a directory of Lloyds panel solicitors in March on the Council of Mortgage Lender’s Website?
Unfortunately not yet. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association sites. A small selection of lending institutions make their panel listings available over the internet. If you are seeking to appoint a March conveyancing practitioner on the Lloyds please use our tool.
It is unclear whether my mortgage offer obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date. I have called my March building society branch on a couple of occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My March conveyancing solicitor - who is on the bank conveyancing panel- called and was told they would not lend in accordance with their specific requirements. I simply don't know who is right.
Provided that the property lawyer is on the bank approved list, she or he must adhere to the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook provisions for the lender. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the mortgage company will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the bank to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years remaining.
Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in March ahead of appointing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. My surveyor advised that some lenders tend refuse to give a mortgage on a flying freehold house.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different instructions from Halifax. If you contact us we can investigate further with the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in March. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
What tools are available to identify a March law firm on the Nationwide Building Society conveyancing panel? I drive a motor bike and am willing to travel upto 25kilometers to meet the conveyancer.
Feel free to make use of the facility on this website. Please choose the mortgage company and your location and you will see a number of March conveyancing lawyers based on proximity. We have detailed some March conveyancing firms towards the end of this page and you can ring them to check whether they are on the Nationwide Building Society panel
I am in the process of buying my 1st property in March. Conveyancing lawyer has been instructed. The broker suggested that a survey is not necessary as the property was only constructed in 2002.
As the bare minimum you need a Home Buyer's Report. As the residence was built more than a decade ago the property will be without a warranty, so you would be well advised not to take a risk. Where a property of this age shows no signs of problems a Home Buyer's report could be sufficient. The report should highlight any apparent problems and suggest further investigation if relevant. Where there are any signs of material issues seek a full Building Survey from the beginning.