Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my solicitor in Marylebone is not on my lender's conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the quality of the firm’s work?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator revealed 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The most common reasons for removal are: (1) low volume of transactions (2) the solicitor is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. Should you be concerned you should simply call the Marylebone conveyancing firm and enquire why they are no longer on the approved list for your bank.
My solicitor has identified a defect with the lease for the property we are buying in Marylebone. The seller’s lawyers have suggested defective title insurance as a solution. We are content with insurance and will pay for it. Our solicitor has advised that he must be satisfied that the lender is content with this solution. Who is the client here, us or the mortgage company ?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the risk of a conflict of interest, you and the lender are the client. Your conveyancing practitioner must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects with the lease so that the mortgage company can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your solicitor will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
Can I use your services to locate a Conveyancing solicitor in Marylebone even where I’m not buying or disposing of a house, for instance where I wish to acquire a shop in Marylebone with a loan from Bank of Scotland?
Our search tool is primarily used to help choose residential conveyancing solicitors in Marylebone but we have listed at the bottom of this page a selection of Marylebone commercial conveyancing firms. You should enquire with the solicitors directly to establish if they can also act for Bank of Scotland
I am buying a right to buy a flat in Marylebone. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Marylebone you will have to appoint a solicitor on your bank's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Marylebone.
When it comes to lenders such as Barclays, do Marylebone conveyancing practitioners face a fee to be on the conveyancing panel?
We are unaware of any bank fees to register on their panel, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.
Can I be sure that the Marylebone conveyancing solicitor on the Bank of Ireland panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in Marylebone seeking recommendations is a good starting point. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one advertising the lowest fees. We would always recommend that you speak with the solicitor handling your transaction.
Having digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Marylebone solicitor - who is on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Bank of Ireland will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Bank of Ireland 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. You may wish to consider appointing your own Marylebone surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
As co-executor for the estate of my father I am selling a residence in Newport but reside in Marylebone. My solicitor (approximately 300 miles from merequires that I execute a statutory declaration prior to the transaction finalising. Can you recommend a conveyancing lawyer in Marylebone to attest and place their company stamp on the document?
Technically speaking you are not likely to be required to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are Marylebone based