My partner and I are hoping to acquire a house in Sydenham Hill and are in fact using a Sydenham Hill conveyancing practice. Within the past 48 hours our conveyancer has sent a preliminary report and documents to look through with the expectation that exchange is imminent. Accord Mortgages Ltd have this morning contacted us to advise us that they have now hit a problem as our Sydenham Hill conveyancer is not on their conveyancing panel. Is this a problem?
When purchasing a property with the benefit of a mortgage it is usual for the purchasers' lawyers to also represent the mortgage company. In order to act for a bank or building society a law firm has to be on that lender's conveyancing panel. An application has to be made by the law firm to the lender to become a member of the lender's panel and there are increasingly strict criteria which the firm has to satisfy and indeed some lenders now require their panel members to be part of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Accreditation Scheme. Your property lawyer should contact your mortgage company and see if they can apply for membership of their conveyancing panel, but if that is not viable they will instruct their own solicitors to act. You don't have to instruct a firm on the bank's conveyancing panel as you are at liberty to use your preferred Sydenham Hill lawyers, in which case your legal fees may increase, and it may delay matters as you are adding another lawyer into the mix.
I have Fifty Six years unexpired on my lease and need a lease extension for my flat in Sydenham Hill. Conveyancing solicitors on the Accord Mortgages panel can deal with such extensions correct?
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are getting a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 2/12/2025 the requirements read as follows :
Various internet forums that I have visited warn that are the main cause of delay in Sydenham Hill conveyancing transactions. Is that correct?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released findings of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the common causes of delays in the conveyancing process. Searches are unlikely to feature in any holding up conveyancing in Sydenham Hill.
Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Sydenham Hill ahead of instructing solicitors. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. My surveyor has said that some banks may refuse to issue a loan on a flying freehold premises.
It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different instructions for example to Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can check via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Sydenham Hill. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
Is it possible to swap solicitor as I need to instruct one who is on the Barclays conveyancing list. I was using a family conveyancing solicitor in Sydenham Hill round the corner but the firm is not accepted by Barclays
It would be our pleasure to assist you find a conveyancing solicitor in Sydenham Hill on the Barclays panel. Please note that the solicitors that we list do not pay us fee if you instruct them and are authorised and regulated by the SRA who regulate all conveyancing solicitors in Sydenham Hill. Using search facility on this website, you can compare and instruct different solicitors and conveyancers both nationally and in Sydenham Hill.
My cousin has recommend that I use his conveyancers in Sydenham Hill. Do I follow his recommendation?
No doubt the best way to select a conveyancing practitioner is to have referrals from friends or relatives who have previously instructed the conveyancer you're contemplating using.