I am nearing exchange of contracts for my apartment in Tulse Hill and the EA has just telephoned to say that the buyers are appointing a new property lawyer. The reason given is that the bank will only deal with property lawyers on their approved list. On what basis would a leading mortgage company only deal with certain solicitors rather the firm that they want to select for their conveyancing in Tulse Hill ?
Mortgage companies have always had an approved set of law firms that can act for them, but in the past few years big names such as Lloyds Banking Group, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have represented them for over 25 years.
Lending institutions attribute this action to a rise in fraud as the reason for the pruning – criteria have been narrowed as a smaller panel is easier to keep an eye on. Banks tend not to disclose how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society claims that it is being contacted daily by practices that have been removed from panels. Plenty of firms are unaware that they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. Your buyers are unlikely to have any impact on this.
We note that you have a post code search directory listing law firms on the Santander conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a commission if I appoint them for our own conveyancing in Tulse Hill?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Santander conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Tulse Hill.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Tulse Hill. My lender is The Mortgage Works
The Mortgage Works have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 14/3/2026, the requirements read as follows :
I'm purchasing a new build house in Tulse Hill with the aid of help to buy. The builders refused to move on the amount so I negotiated £7000 of extras instead. The sale representative advised me not to tell my solicitor about this extras as it would adversely affect my loan with the lender. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder 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 need to instruct a conveyancing practitioner in Tulse Hill for my house move. Is there any facility to review a firm’s complaints history with the profession’s regulator?
One may read published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from investigations started on or after 1 January 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's record, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may recorded telephone calls for training requirements.
I need to find a mortgage company panel solicitor in Tulse Hill. Can you assist?
It is not clear why you need a Tulse Hill panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to the lender to find out which solicitors in Tulse Hill are on their panel . If you do find such a firm in Tulse Hill not listed please direct them to our site to list. At a fee of one pound per month it is not expensive to register on the site