We are planning to buy a 2 bedroom apartment in Southfields with a mortgage. We wish to retain our Southfields conveyancer, but the lender advise she’s not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the mortgage company panel solicitors or continue with our Southfields property lawyer and pay for one of their panel lawyers to represent them. This feels very unfair; is there anything we can do?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your Southfields conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Can the conveyancing lawyers via your comparison service perform conveyancing in Southfields by way of an attended exchange?
There are a few conveyancing experts who can conduct attended exchanges. You should call us to receive a costs illustration and details as to availability.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Southfields. My lender is Platform
Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 27/5/2025, the requirements read as follows :
I decided to have a survey carried out on a house in Southfields ahead of retaining conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. My surveyor has said that some mortgage companies will refuse to give a loan on this type of premises.
It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different requirements for example to Birmingham Midshires. If you e-mail us we can check via the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Southfields. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Southfields especially if they are acquainted with such properties in Southfields.
I'm refinancing my existing house to a buy to let loan with Santander and I will use the rest of the raised equity as a down payment on further house. The location we are looking at is Southfields. Will your conveyancers be able to act for the two banks and tie in the two deals?
Do use our comparison tool on this page to be sure that the solicitors are on the relevant lender panels. On the basis that they are the conveyancer will be able to connect the two conveyancing matters but you should have a chat with you lawyer and make apparent your desired outcome and needs.
Should I appoint a Southfields conveyancing solicitor in close proximity to the house I am purchasing? I have an old university friend who can conduct the legal work but her office is 200kilometers away.
The primary upside of using a local Southfields conveyancing firm is that you can visit the firm to execute documents, present your ID and apply pressure on them if necessary. Having local Southfields know how is a benefit. That being said it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If if people you trust instructed your friend and in the main were impressed that must trump using an unknown Southfields conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being round the corner.