Unfortunately I am unable to travel far from Alnmouth. Is there a reason why all Alnmouth conveyancers are not on all lender panels?

Before the recession most lenders displayed an approach to risk which is different than today. The financial regulator in 2010 carried out a thematic review into property fraud which in summary warned lenders: know the conveyancers on your panel. Accordingly, banks have subsequently requiredmore data from law firms about their processes and the individuals who work for them and set certain criteria such as completing a minimum number of transactions. Thousands of law practices have found themselves removed from lender panels even though they had an exemplary disciplinary record, no complaints and no claims and didn't just 'dabble' in conveyancing. Such firms found it impossible meet the minimum amount of transactions the lenders required.

I am purchasing my first flat in Alnmouth with a mortgage from Barclays . The developers would not budge the price so I negotiated £7000 of additionals instead. The sale representative advised me not to tell my solicitor about the side-deal as it may adversely affect my mortgage with Barclays . Should I keep quiet?.

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 am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and found one round the corner in Alnmouth I like with a park and railway links in the vicinity, the downside is that it only has 61 years on the lease. There is not much else in Alnmouth suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?

If you need a home loan the shortness of the lease will likely be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you may request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.

What tools are available to search for a Alnmouth solicitor on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel? I am a keen cyclist and am happy to travel upto 10miles to meet the conveyancer.

You can use the facility on this page. Please pick a lender and your location and you will see a number of Alnmouth conveyancing lawyers based on proximity. We have detailed some Alnmouth conveyancing firms at the bottom of this page and you can telephone them to verify whether they are on the Clydesdale approved list

We have just become aware that one of the directors of the solicitors handling the purchase conveyancing in Alnmouth is an aunty of the seller. Is this acceptable?

As long as no conflict arises this is allowable. If you are needing mortgage finance then the mortgage company may have a say as many lenders have specific instructions on this. For example for Chelsea Building Society as of 10/12/2025, the requirements read as follows :