Can you clarify what the consequences are if my lawyer’s firm is expelled from the UBS Solicitor panel ahead of completing my conveyancing in Rochester?
The first thing to point out is that, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have to instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by a regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.
I have been told that property searches are a common cause of obstruction in Rochester house deals. Is there any truth in this?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released determinations of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure within the most frequent causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Local searches are unlikely to feature in any holding up conveyancing in Rochester.
Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Rochester prior to instructing lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. Our surveyor advised that some mortgage companies may refuse to issue a mortgage on this type of property.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different instructions for example to Halifax. If you contact us we can check with the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Rochester. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Rochester especially if they are familiar with such properties in Rochester.
I'm remortgaging my primary home to a BTL loan with Norwich and Peterborough Building Society and I will use the rest of the raised equity as a deposit on a second property. The area we are interested in is Rochester. Will your conveyancers be able to act for the two lenders and link together the transactions?
Make use of our comparison tool on this page to check that the conveyancers are approved by both banks. On the basis that they are your conveyancer will be able to connect the two deals but you should talk with you conveyancer and communicate your expectations and requirements.
I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing lawyer in Rochester for my home move. Can I check a solicitor's complaints history with the profession’s regulator?
You may read published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find details Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors record, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA may monitor call for training requirements.
I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the bank conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the mortgage company approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the mortgage company conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the mortgage company solicitor panel.