My fiance and I are intent on acquiring an apartment in Wealdstone. My Conveyancer has never been on on the mortgage company solicitor list. Is it possible for me to use my Wealdstone conveyancing solicitor even though they are excluded from the mortgage company list of approved lawyers?
One will need to appoint a conveyancing practitioner to complete the formalities when you need a mortgage to buy your property. They will conduct all the essential due diligence on the property, make sure that you will be registered as proprietor and ensure that all the required mortgage documentation is dealt with. One could appoint a Wealdstone conveyancer of your choosing. However, where the solicitor appointed is not on the bank approved list supplemental charges will arise as separate legal representation will be required by them. Lender panel applications can be submitted, so if your solicitor has not historically applied for membership they can do so.
Can you help? My Wealdstone solicitor is assuring me that he is legally obliged toconduct Wealdstone conveyancing searches asthe firm are on the Nat Westconveyancing panel. Is my conveyancer right?
Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. As you are taking a home loan with a mortgage company your solicitor has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of your lender’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to comply with the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook specifications . Even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out Wealdstone conveyancing searches.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Wealdstone. My lender is Bank of Ireland
Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 26/11/2025, the requirements read as follows :
Are all Wealdstone Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Principality conveyancing list of approved solicitors?
A selection of lenders now utilise CQS as the kick off point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. CQS accreditation however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitor practices wishing to join their panels.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Wealdstone off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Barclays. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Barclays, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Barclays conveyancing panel.
After months of negotiation I have agreed a price on an apartment in Wealdstone. My financial adviser recommended their conveyancers. I paid an on account payment of £200. Soon after, the lawyer contacted me to say that they were not on the Principality conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?
You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the Principality panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.
How does conveyancing in Wealdstone differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Wealdstone approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is constructed. This is because developers in Wealdstone tend to acquire the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Wealdstone or who has acted in the same development.
My husband and I are first time buyers - agreed a price, but the estate agent told us that the vendor will only issue a contract if we use their chosen lawyers as they need a ‘quick sale’. My instinct tells me that we should use a local conveyancer used to conveyancing in Wealdstone
It is improbable the sellers are driving this. If they require ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a serious buyer is likely to cause more damage than good. Speak to the vendors direct and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to go, with mortgage lined up © you are unencumbered (d) you wish to move quickly (e)however you intend to appoint your preferred Wealdstone conveyancing firm - not the ones that will provide the estate agent a referral fee or hit his conveyancing targets demanded by HQ.