My partner and I are looking to acquire a house in Padstow and have instructed a Padstow conveyancing firm. Within the past 48 hours our conveyancer has forwarded the sale agreement to be signed with a detailed report in anticipation of exchanging contracts shortly. TSB have this morning contacted us to advise us that there is now an issue as our Padstow solicitor is not on their conveyancing panel. Please explain?
When purchasing a property with mortgage finance it is conventional for the purchasers' solicitors to also act for the mortgage company. In order to act for a bank or building society a law firm has to be on that lender's conveyancing panel. An application has to be made by the law firm to the lender to become a member of the lender's panel and there are increasingly strict criteria which the firm has to satisfy and indeed some lenders now require their panel members to be part of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Accreditation Scheme. Your property lawyer should contact your lender and see if they can apply for membership of their conveyancing panel, but if that is not viable they will instruct their own lawyers to represent them. You don't have to instruct a firm on the lender’s conveyancing panel as you are at liberty to use your preferred Padstow lawyers, in which case your legal fees may increase, and it will likely delay the transaction as you are adding another lawyer into the mix.
At what point can the exchange of contracts happen for purchase conveyancing in Padstow and am I required to attend the lawyers office?
If you are round the corner to our conveyancing solicitors in Padstow you are invited in to sign the paperwork. However, the law practices we work with supply countrywide coverage for conveyancing and provide as equally detailed and professional a job for you when communicating with you digitally. The signing of the contract is not the critical part. Signing on the dotted line is necessary for the conveyancer to address the formalities at the suitable time, which is ordinarily shortly after signing. The procedure is is usually a five minute process, although where an extended "chain" is in the mix, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Padstow)to be in the office at the appropriate time.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Padstow. My lender is Tesco Bank
Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 1/7/2026, the requirements read as follows :
How does conveyancing in Padstow differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Padstow contact us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is built. This is because builders in Padstow typically purchase the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Padstow or who has acted in the same development.
I opted to have a survey carried out on a house in Padstow prior to retaining lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the property. The surveyor advised that some lenders will refuse to give a loan on this type of property.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different instructions from Nationwide. If you call us we can check via 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 Padstow. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Padstow especially if they are familiar with such properties in Padstow.
I am looking to sell my house. My past lawyers has retired. I would be grateful for any recommendation of a conveyancing firm. I happen to live in Padstow if that affects matters.
Do use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Padstow. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with lender approved solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs with a minimum of fuss.