What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Streatham? What am I being asked for?
Streatham conveyancing solicitors and indeed property lawyers throughout the UK have an obligation under money laundering regulations to verify the ID of any client with a view to ensure that clients are who they say they are.
Conveyancing clients are required to disclose two forms of certified ID; proof of ID (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (typically a Utility Bill no more than three months).
Confirmation of source of monies is also necessary under the money laundering laws as lawyers have a duty to ensure that the monies you are utilising to purchase a property (be it the exchange deposit or the total purchase price if you are buying mortgage free) has come from a reputable source (such as an inheritance) as opposed to the fruits of criminal activity.
My property lawyer in Streatham is not listed on the Yorkshire Building Society Solicitor Panel. Is it possible for me to retain my family solicitor even though they are excluded from the Yorkshire Building Society list of approved lawyers?
The limited options open to you here include:
- Complete the purchase with your existing Streatham lawyers but Yorkshire Building Society will need to instruct a conveyancer on their panel. This will result in additional total legal fees as well as cause delays.
- Get an alternative lawyer to to deal with the conveyancing, obviously checking they are Convince your conveyancer to use their best endeavours to join the Yorkshire Building Society conveyancing panel
Are all Streatham Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Nationwide conveyancing panel?
It is true that some lenders now utilise the accreditation scheme as the kick off point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS accreditation however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitor practices wishing to join their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.
I had an offer accepted on an apartment in Streatham on 18/8/2025, valuation was booked 4 days after, all came back fine. Conveyancer instructed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to UBS and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the UBS conveyancing panel. Are UBS entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for UBS to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the UBS conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
At last I have had an offer on an apartment in Streatham accepted, but there is a chain. The owners have offered on a flat, however it’s not been accepted yet, and have viewings of other apartments booked. I have selected a nearby conveyancing solicitor in Streatham. What should be my next step? At what point do I apply for the mortgage with Coventry BS?
It is understandable to have anxieties where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket prematurely (mortgage application is approx £1k, then survey, Streatham conveyancing search charges, etc). First, you should check that your lawyer is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel. Regarding the subsequent stages this very much dictated by the circumstances of your case, attraction to the property and on the state of the market. In a buoyant market many purchasers would apply for the mortgage with Coventry BS and pay for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they pay their lawyer to move forward with the conveyancing in Streatham.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a quick, no chain conveyancing. Streatham is where the house is located. Can you offer any guidance?
Flying freeholds in Streatham are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Streatham you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Streatham may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.
We are a couple of weeks into a leasehold purchase having been referred to a firm by the estate agent to perform conveyancing in Streatham. We are not happy. Could you you assist me in finding new solicitors?
They would have to be really poor in order to consider changing them. Has your mortgage offer been issued? If so you will need to make them aware of the replacement lawyer and ensure the loan are re-sent. Your new solicitor ideally needs to be on the lenders panel to avoid supplemental fees and frustration. So that should be your starting point. Our search tool will help you find a bank approved conveyancer for your conveyancing in Streatham
My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Streatham. Conveyancing and Accord Mortgages Ltd mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1992. The conveyancing practitioner in Streatham who previously acted has long since retired. Do I pay?
The first thing you should do is make enquiries of HMLR to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. It is not necessary to incur the fees of a Streatham conveyancing practitioner to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. You should note that regardless, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.
I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord for a lease extension without getting anywhere. Can one apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Streatham conveyancing firm to help?
You certainly can. We can put you in touch with a Streatham conveyancing firm who can help.
An example of a Lease Extension case for a Streatham property is Flat 12, Newlands Court Streatham Common North in May 2012. the decision of the Tribunal was that the premium payable by the Applicants to the Respondent for the new lease of the Premises be £70,140. This case affected 1 flat. The remaining number of years on the lease was 23.25 years.