My husband and I are planning to acquire a property in Putney and are in fact using a Putney conveyancing firm. Within the past 48 hours our lawyer has sent a preliminary report and documents to look through with the expectation that exchange is imminent. Godiva Mortgages Ltd have this morning contacted us to inform me that they have now hit a problem as our Putney conveyancer is not on their conveyancing panel. What do we do from here?
When purchasing a property with mortgage finance it is usual for the purchasers' lawyers to also represent 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 mortgage company and see if they can apply for membership of their conveyancing panel, but if that is not viable they will instruct their own solicitors to act. You don't have to instruct a firm on the bank's conveyancing panel as you are at liberty to use your preferred Putney lawyers, in which case your legal fees may increase, and it may delay matters as you are adding another lawyer into the mix.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Putney. My lender is Tesco Bank
Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 5/10/2025, the requirements read as follows :
Have just purchased a repossessed house at auction in Putney. Conveyancing is necessary. What happens now?
Given that you have now exchanged you now have to hire the services of a conveyancing lawyer as a matter of urgency as you are faced with a fast approaching a fixed date to complete the property. Every auction property will have an associated auction set of papers. This should include most,if not all of the documents that your lawyer will need. If you have purchased leasehold premises the legal papers may include a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and associated conveyancing paperwork pertinent to a leasehold property. You must pass this on to your appointed conveyancing solicitor ASAP. You also need to ensure that you have funds organised to complete on the date specified in the contract.
I am purchasing a terrace house in Putney. Our aim is to convert the garage to an office at the property.Will the conveyancing process include checks to determine if these works are permitted?
Your solicitor should check the registered title as conveyancing in Putney can sometimes identify restrictions in the title deeds which restrict certain works or require the permission of another owner. Some works call for local authority planning consent and approval in accordance building regulations. Some locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or affect extensions. You should check these things with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.
Completion of my purchase has taken place for my property in Putney. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about the lender. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
All lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Department at head office. Ordinarily complaints to a lender are sorted out effectively and efficiently. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR who will take matters further.
I used Action Conveyancing a few years past for my conveyancing in Putney. Now, I need my files however the law firm has closed. What do I do?
Do call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Putney of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
How does conveyancing in Putney differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Putney come to us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is completed. This is because developers in Putney usually purchase the real estate, 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Putney or who has acted in the same development.
Is it the case that all Putney property lawyers on every lender conveyancing panel?
The Lexsure search tool on this page may be of use or you can drop into your high street bank branch in Putney. the probability is that they can recommend conveyancing solicitors in Putney