I am getting a mortgage with Halifax. I intend to use a Licensed Conveyancer in Stretford. Does the Halifax Conveyancing panel include conveyancers regulated by the CLC?
The Halifax conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders, represented by the CML or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the CLC.
The sellers of the house we are looking to purchase have appointed a conveyancing practitioner in Stretford who has insisted on a exclusivity agreement with a non-refundable deposit 10k. Are such agreements sensible?
There are a couple of primary drawbacks with entering into any lock out contract (also known as a shut-out contract) is that it takes away the focus from progressing with the conveyancing work, so in the absence of it needing minimal or no negotiation then it may transpire to be unhelpful. It is not promoted amongst Stretford conveyancing lawyers for this reason. A supplemental issue is the extent of the remedies available - an aggrieved purchaser is not likely to secure an injunction to prevent the vendor completing the sale to an alternative purchaser, so the only remedy open via the contract will be the reimbursement of abortive charges and, in limited situations, the extra payment of penalties.
My wife and I have recently appointed a conveyancing solicitor in Stretford. I I would like to check if they are on the Yorkshire Building Society conveyancing panel. Can you advise?
You should contact the solicitor and enquire whether they can act for the bank. Alternatively please get in touch with Yorkshire Building Society who may be able to confirm.
This question may be naive but I am unseasoned as FTB of a ground floor flat in Stretford. Do I pick up the keys to the house on completion from my lawyer? If so, I will use a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Stretford?
There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will arrange to send the purchase money to the seller's solicitors, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you should be able to receive the keys from the selling Agents and move into your new home. This tends to happen early afternoon.
We have agreed to purchase a house in Stretford. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Barclays have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Barclays your lawyer must comply with the conveyancing instructions outlined in Part 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Barclays. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook contains minimum provisions for solar panel roof-space leases, and lawyers are required to report to Barclays where a lease does not meet these conditions. The provisions relate to the installation of panels on properties nationwide and is not restricted to Stretford.
I am expecting a AIP from HSBC this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do HSBC recommend any Stretford solicitors on the HSBC conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?
You will need to appoint Stretford solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the HSBC conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and HSBC through the process.
Am I best advised to go with a Stretford conveyancing practitioner based in the vicinity that I am purchasing? I have an old university friend who can handle the legal formalities however they are based approximately 350kilometers away.
The benefit of a high street Stretford conveyancing firm is that you can pop in to sign documents, present your ID and pester them where appropriate. They will also have local insight which is a bonus. That being said it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If you know people who instructed your friend and in the main were happy that should surpass using an unfamiliar Stretford conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being round the corner.
Do I have to attend the offices of the mortgage company conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the legal charge? If so, I will appoint a lawyer who conducts conveyancing in Stretford as it will be easier to pop in to their offices when needed.
As opposed to 15 years ago, most lenders no longer require their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the borrowers signature. You will still be obliged to provide ID Documents and there are still distinct advantages to using a local solicitor, in your case a conveyancing solicitor in Stretford.