My wife and I are buying a leasehold flat in Westminster. My lawyer is not on the lender conveyancing list. Is it possible for me to continue with my Westminster conveyancing solicitor even though they are excluded from the lender panel of approved conveyancing solicitors?
Your options include
- Carry on with your chosen Westminster lawyer but your mortgage company will no doubt use a lawyer on their conveyancing panel. The net result is additional charges and probable frustration.
- Appoint a fresh conveyancer to conduct the conveyancing, ensuring that they are on the lender conveyancing panel.
- Convince your solicitor to apply to join the lender panel
How do I check that the solicitor carrying out my conveyancing in Westminster is on the lender’sapproved panel? I am looking to avoid the situation of having one lawyer for me and one for Platform Home Loans Ltd thus spending £187.00 plus VAT in another set of legal costs.
Feel free to make use of the search tool on this web page. Pick the mortgage company and type ‘Westminster’ or your preferred area and you will see numerous solicitors based in Westminster or by proximity to you.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on a fortnight ago in what should have been a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Westminster is where the house is located. Can you offer any opinion?
Flying freeholds in Westminster are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Westminster you must be sure that your lawyer goes 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 Westminster may decide 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 residence.
Should I be concerned that 3rd parties that I am dealing with are recommending a nationwide conveyancing firm as opposed to a local Westminster conveyancing practice?
As with many service providers, often input from family and friends can be extremely useful or valuable. Nevertheless there are lots of people with a vested interest in a conveyancing transaction; estate agents, financial adviser and banks might all suggest conveyancers to use. Sometimes the lawyers might be known to one of the organisations as experts in their field, but sometimes there may be a financial incentive behind the recommendation. You are free to select your preferred lawyer. Don't forget that the majority of lenders have an approved list of solicitors you are obliged to use for the mortgage related work in your transaction.
I need to instruct a conveyancing practitioner in Westminster for my home move. Is there any facility to review a solicitor's record with the legal regulator?
One can review documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations started on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For information Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors record, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may monitor call for training requirements.
Is it the case that all Westminster legal practices on every lender conveyancing panel?
The Lexsure search tool on this page may be of use or you can pop into your local bank branch in Westminster. Chances are that they can recommend conveyancing solicitors in Westminster