Much to our surprise we have been told by our mortgage adviser that my Portsmouth property lawyer is not on the mortgage company Conveyancing panel. What can I do to be sure whether this is correct?
The first thing you need to do is to call your Portsmouth lawyer directly. You lawyer should notify you what has happened. Where they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the conveyancing panel for your bank.
I have 70 years unexpired on my lease and require a lease extension for my flat in Portsmouth. Conveyancing solicitors on the Bank of Ireland panel can deal with such extensions correct?
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 22/12/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I am downsizing from our home in Portsmouth and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was built land that was not decontaminated. Any local conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the purchasers used an online conveyancing practice rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Portsmouth. We have lived in Portsmouth for six years we know of no issue. Do we get in touch with our local Authority to get clarification that there is no issue.
It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm currently acting for you. What do they say? You must enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same ailment)
Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my property are lost. The conveyancers who handled the conveyancing in Portsmouth 5 years ago no longer exist. What are my options?
Assuming you have a registered title the details of your proprietorship will be held by the Land Registry under a Title Number. It is possible to execute a search at the Land Registry, find your property and secure up to date copies of the Registered Entries for less than a fiver. Where the title is Leasehold then the Land Registry will usually hold a certified duplicate of the Registered Lease and again, a copy can be obtained for twenty pounds.
I opted to have a survey carried out on a property in Portsmouth in advance of instructing conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. My surveyor advised that some mortgage companies tend not issue a mortgage on this type of home.
It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different requirements for example to Birmingham Midshires. If you contact us we can check with the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Portsmouth. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
I have been sourcing a conveyancing practitioner in Portsmouth for my remortgage. Is it possible to review a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?
One can see documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations stemming from inquisitions commenced on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA could recorded telephone calls for training requirements.