We are purchasing a 3 bedroom apartment in Stamford with a mortgage. We would like to retain our Stamford solicitor, but the mortgage company says he's not on their "panel". It seems we have no option but to appoint one of the mortgage company panel conveyancing practices or continue with our Stamford conveyancer and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. We feel that this is unjust; are we not able to demand that the lender use our Stamford solicitor ?
No, not really. Your mortgage offer is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’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. A further alternative is for your Stamford conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
I have Fifty Six years left on my lease and need a lease extension for my flat in Stamford. Conveyancing solicitors on the Tesco Bank panel can deal with such extensions correct?
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 29/5/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I am purchasing a new build house in Stamford with a mortgage from HSBC Bank. The sellers would not move on the amount so I negotiated 6k of fixtures and fittings instead. The sale representative advised me not to tell my conveyancer about this side-deal as it would jeopardize my mortgage with the lender. Should I keep quiet?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
I am looking for a conveyancing lawyer in Stamford for my house move. Can I check a solicitor's complaints history with the profession’s regulator?
Members of the public can read published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations stemming from inquisitions commenced on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find information Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, call 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 may recorded telephone calls for training requirements.
I am on look out for some leasehold conveyancing in Stamford. Before diving in I would like to find out the unexpired term of the lease.
If the lease is recorded at the land registry - and 99.9% are in Stamford - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title. For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.
I own a garden flat in Stamford, conveyancing having been completed in 2001. Can you shed any light on how much the price could be for a 90 year extension to my lease? Comparable properties in Stamford with a long lease are worth £265,000. The ground rent is £50 levied per year. The lease ends on 21st October 2100
You have 75 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to range between £8,600 and £9,800 plus legals.
The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to provide a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive due diligence. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt additional issues that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not take any other action based on this information before getting professional advice.
We have just had an offer accepted on our first home in Stamford, and are now looking to get solicitors lined up. We have utilised the different rating based websites and the results are from all across the the UK. Is it advisable to have a Stamford property lawyer local to our prospective property? I am content to do all the communicating electronically, but I am thinking at some point we will be required to visit the solicitor's office to sign documents?
The property lawyer does not need to be in Stamford, but choosing local means that you have the option to visit their offices if required, by way of example, if a signature is immediately necessary. In addition, a Stamford solicitor have established relationships with local agents and (if the vendor has chosen a local solicitor) with them, which should help smooth the process.