I am selling my home in Andover and the EA has just telephoned to advise that the purchasers are appointing a new conveyancer. The excuse is that the mortgage company will only work with solicitors on their conveyancing panel. Why would a big named mortgage company only deal with certain law firms rather the firm that they want to select for their conveyancing in Andover ?

Lenders have always had an approved set of law firms that can act for them, but in the last few years big names such as Nationwide, have considered and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have represented them for more than 15 years.

Banks justify this action to a rise in fraud as the reason for the pruning – criteria have been tightened as a smaller panel is easier to oversee. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society claims that it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels. Some do not even realise 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 not going to have any sway in the decision.

My Andover lawyer has discovered a discrepancy when comparing the assumptions in the home valuation survey and what is in the conveyancing documents. My solicitor says that he is obliged to check that the bank is OK with this discrepancy and is content to go ahead. Is my solicitor’s stance appropriate?

Your must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook provisions which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.

I had intended to instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Andover for our home move. Our financial adviser has since notified us that our mortgage company won't deal with them. Surely this is unfair competition?

A bank may require a panel solicitor act for it. Borrowers are expected to meet the cost of this. Please make use of our directory service to select a solicitor to carry conveyancing in Andover on the conveyancing panel.

Hoping to buy a property located in Andover and I am already nervous. I couldn't find anything specific about Andover. Conveyancing will be needed in due course but do you know about the Andover area? or perhaps some other tips you can share?

Rather than looking online forget looking online you should go and have a look at Andover. In the meantime here are some basic statistics that we found

I am a fortnight into a freehold purchase having been directed to solicitors by the selling agent to perform conveyancing in Andover. I am am extremely disappointed with the level of service. Can you you assist me in finding new conveyancers?

They would need to be really poor in order to consider replacing them. Has your loan offer been sent? If so you must advise them of the new contact details and ensure the mortgage documents are re-sent. The solicitor ideally should be on the banks panel to avoid added charges and delays. That should be your starting point. The search tool can assist you in finding a lender approved lawyer for your home move in Andover