I am nearing exchange of contracts for my apartment in Shortlands and the EA has just telephoned to warn that the buyers are appointing a new conveyancer. I am told that this is due to the fact that the lender will only work with property lawyers on their approved list. Why would a leading mortgage company only deal with certain law firms rather the firm that they want to select for their conveyancing in Shortlands ?
Banks have always had an approved set of law firms that can act for them, but in the last few years big names such as Nationwide, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for decades.
Mortgage companies point to the increase in fraud by way of justification for the pruning – criteria have been tightened as a smaller panel is easier to keep an eye on. Banks tend not to disclose how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is being contacted daily by practices that have been removed from panels. Plenty of firms are unaware that they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. Your purchasers are unlikely to have any impact on this.
Having sold my house in Shortlands last July but my buyer keeps telephoning every few hours to moan that his solicitor needs to hear from mine. What should have happened following completion?
Following your sale your lawyer should forward the transfer documentation and all supplemental paperwork to the buyer’s solicitors. If applicable, your conveyancer should also evidence that the legal charge in favour of the lender has been discharged to the buyers solicitors. There are no post completion formalities specific conveyancing in Shortlands.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Shortlands. My lender is Platform
Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 5/1/2026, the requirements read as follows :
Forgive me if this question is silly but I am unseasoned as a first time purchaser of a garden flat in Shortlands. Do I collect the keys to the property on completion from my lawyer? If so, I will appoint a local conveyancing solicitor in Shortlands?
There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Conveyancing lawyers for you will electronically transfer the purchase money to the owner’s lawyers, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you will be called to receive the keys from the Estate Agents and start moving into the property. This tends to happen between 1 and 3pm.
A colleague pointed out to me me that in purchasing a property in Shortlands there may be various restrictions preventing external changes to the property. Is this right?
We are aware of anumerous of properties in Shortlands which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to external alterations. Part of the conveyancing in Shortlands should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.
We are planning to move home in February. Should my conveyancing solicitor communicate with the removal company on the day of completion. Incidentally, can you put forward a removal company in Shortlands. Conveyancing firm was chosen prior to coming across this website.
On the day of completion you will need to pick up the house keys from your selling agent but this should only occur when the sellers solicitors advise the agent that they acknowledge receipt of the completion payment and the keys can be released. Subsequently you should tell the removal men that you are ready to move in. We are not in a position to recommend a particular removal company but can assist you in finding a residential property solicitor in Shortlands or a solicitor with expertise in conveyancing in Shortlands.
I opted to have a survey done on a property in Shortlands before instructing conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. The surveyor has said that some lenders tend not grant a mortgage on a flying freehold home.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Santander has different instructions for example to Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to telephone us we can investigate further with the relevant lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Shortlands. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Shortlands especially if they are familiar with such properties in Shortlands.
I am looking to sell my home. My previous solicitors have shut. It would be helpful to have a recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in Shortlands if that makes a difference.
Do use our search tool to help you find a solicitor for your conveyancing in Shortlands. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with regulated solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs smoothly.