I am in the market for a reasonably priced conveyancer. Do I opt for a nationwide conveyancer or a local Billingham conveyancing lawyer?

Existing third party connections are another important factor to consider when choosing conveyancing solicitors. Billingham conveyancers often have long term relationships with mortgage brokers and selling, local authorities, valuers and other law firms meaning you will move in shortest possible time. Hosting specialist knowledge of the local area is an advantage.

Me and my fiancee are purchasing our first property. Our conveyancing practitioner has calledto check if we wish to purchase extra conveyancing searches. Unfortunately we are clueless as to what's relevant for conveyancing in Billingham

The type of Billingham conveyancing searches should be triggered based entirely on the property, the location, the possibility of any of these risks, your familiarity of the locality and risks, your general appetite to risk. What matters is that you properly understand what information each search could provide. You may then decide if you consider that you need that search. Where you are unsure, ask your conveyancing practitioner to advise.

I am considering applying for a RBS mortgage for purchase of a new build (under development) in Billingham with 65 per cent LTV. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for RBS ?

In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the RBS conveyancing panel, but RBS would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same transaction.

Have just purchased a repossessed house at auction in Billingham. Conveyancing is required. What is next?

Given that you have now exchanged you will need to choose a conveyancing practitioner soon as you now have a tight deadline in which to complete the deal. Every auction property will ordinarily have an associated auction set of papers. This should include evidence of title and search results. Where you are dealing with leasehold property the auction papers may include a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and associated conveyancing documentation specific to a leasehold property. You must hand this to the conveyancer instructed by you ASAP. You also need to ensure that that you have the requisite funding organised to complete the transaction on the set completion date.

I'm at the point of viewing houses in Billingham and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I will be getting a mortgage with Lloyds.

It would be sensible to instigate your search sooner rather than later. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their contact information on to the selling agent. Given that you are seeking a mortgage with Lloyds, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Lloyds conveyancing panel.

My offer was accepted on a house in Billingham on 28/7/2025, valuation was booked 3 days after, all came back fine. Solicitor appointed, so the only thing outstanding was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Nationwide and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Nationwide conveyancing panel. Are Nationwide entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?

A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Nationwide to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Nationwide conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

I'm remortgaging my current home to a BTL loan with Coventry Building Society and intend to use the remaining equity as a down payment on further property. The area we are talking about is Billingham. Will your conveyancers be able to act for both sets of lenders and tie in the conveyances?

Do use our search tool on this site to check that the conveyancers are on the relevant lender panels. Having checked that they are your conveyancer will be able to tie up the two transactions but you should talk with you conveyancer and make apparent your desired outcome and requirements.