Me and my partner are planning to buy a 2 bedroom apartment in Willen with a mortgage. We have a Willen solicitor, but the mortgage company says he's not on their "panel". It appears that we have no option but to instruct one of the lender panel conveyancing practices or retain our Willen conveyancing practitioner as well as pay for one of their panel lawyers to represent them. This seems very unfair; can we not require that the lender use our Willen property lawyer ?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your Willen conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Can conveyancing in Willen to be concluded in less than 3 weeks?
First, If the seller is applying time constraints for your conveyancing it is advisable to make sure that your lawyer is familiar with the area as they will make use of local contacts and know-how. It is even conceivable that they could have handled previoushouses in the same street. You would be best advised to use a Willen conveyancing solicitor. In addition, double check that the lawyer is on the on the approved list for your mortgage company. It is said that just under twenty per cent of Willen conveyancing deals are delayed or jeopardised after discovering a purchaser’s conveyancer was not on their mortgage lender’s list of approved solicitors. This can often result in the buying process being frustrated by as much as three weeks. It is estimated that this issue impacts in the region of 100,000 home sales annually. Almost all Willen conveyancing firms can not act for certain banks so do check as early as possible.
We see that you have a search directory listing law firms on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a referral fee if I appoint them for our own conveyancing in Willen?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Willen.
I am buying a semi-detached house in Willen. How practical is it for me to do the conveyancing?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Willen you will have to appoint a solicitor on your mortgage company's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Willen.
I used Stirling Law several years ago for my conveyancing in Willen. Now, I need the documents but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?
Do call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Willen of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously used, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
I was advised by a number of estate agents in Willen to locate a property lawyer using your seach tool. What’s the financial inducement for Estate Agents to recommend your services over and above another?
We refuse to make any referral fee for sending work our way. We found it would be just too difficult a fee as a client could think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.