My wife and I are intent on buying an apartment in Billericay. My Solicitor is not on the lender solicitor list. Is it possible for me to use my Billericay conveyancing solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the bank approved list?

You must use a to complete the formalities when you need a loan to purchase your property. They will conduct all the relevant due diligence on the property, ensuring that you’re properly registered as the owner and ensure that all the necessary mortgage paperwork is in order. One may select a Billericay of your choosing. However, if the selected is not a member of the bank solicitor panel further costs will arise as separate legal representation will be need by the lender. Conveyancing panel applications can be submitted, so provided your conveyancer has not previously sought membership they should take the opportunity to apply.

Can you clarify what the consequences are if my solicitor is removed from the Conveyancing panel ahead of completing my conveyancing in Billericay?

The first thing to point out is that, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have to instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by a regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and found one round the corner in Billericay I like with amenity areas and station in the vicinity, however it's only got 61 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Billericay for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?

If you need a home loan that many years may be a potential deal breaker. Discount the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for at least 2 years you may request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer about this.

How easy is it to switch solicitor as I need to appoint a firm on the conveyancing panel. I instructed a family conveyancing solicitor in Billericay round the corner but he is not approved by

It would be our pleasure to assist you select a conveyancing solicitor in Billericay on the panel. Please note that the solicitors that we list do not pay us a referral fee if you instruct them and are under regulation of the SRA who regulate all conveyancing solicitors in Billericay. In utilising search facility on this website, you can compare and instruct different solicitors and conveyancers both nationally and in Billericay.

We are considering instructing a web based rather than a Billericay conveyancing firm. Am I making a mistake?

Advantages do exist in having the option pop in to a local Billericay conveyancing solicitor for example

• signing documents on short notice
• having face-to-face explanations of things that you need help with
• the ability to complain if things need to addressed

When checking estimates, look carefully for hidden extras. The majority decent Billericay high street solicitors give an all-inclusive price. Many online companies appear to offer low cost prices, but have hidden 'extras' in the fine print.