We are expecting a mortgage offer soon. The bank mentioned the loan came with free conveyancing. Is the implication that I have to use their panel conveyancer as I would prefer to use a local conveyancing solicitor in Gravesend?

You should check but the the likelihood is that give you one of their panel lawyers if you take up the "fee-free" incentive. Speak to the lender and ask if they allow a cash alternative. Some lenders have previously offered a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case you could put that amount towards the cost for your conveyancing solicitor near Gravesend.

I have todaydiscovered that Wolstenholmes have been shut down. They conducted my conveyancing in Gravesend for a purchase of a leasehold flat 18 months ago. How can I establish that my home is in my name in the name of the previous owner?

The easiest method to see if the property is registered to you, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Gravesend conveyancing specialists.

I decided to have a survey carried out on a property in Gravesend before appointing solicitors. I have been told that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. My surveyor advised that some mortgage companies tend not grant a mortgage on such a premises.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can check via the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Gravesend. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Gravesend especially if they regularly deal with such properties in Gravesend.

My husband and I are a couple of weeks into a residential purchase having been recommend to a firm by the selling agent to carry out the conveyancing in Gravesend. I am not happy. Could you you assist me in finding new lawyers?

They would need to be very bad in order to consider changing them. Has your mortgage offer been sent? If so you will need to make them aware of the new contact details and get the loan are issued to the new lawyers. Your conveyancer needs to be on the banks panel to avoid supplemental charges and delays. That should be your starting point. Our search tool can assist you in finding a lender approved lawyer for your conveyancing in Gravesend

I have read on various online forums that when selecting a conveyancing solicitors they need approved by your bank. It happens to be my first house move but I have an AIP from Virgin Money and I already have a family conveyancing lawyer in Gravesend on standby. Does Halifax require an approved solicitor to be used? Does a directory of panel conveyancers even exist so I can pick a conveyancing lawyer in Gravesend?

You need to instruct a solicitor that is on the Halifax panel. The first thing to do is telephone your chosen Gravesend conveyancing lawyer to check if they are on the Halifax panel. If they are not on the panel you have numerous choices available to you here:

• Complete the purchase with your chosen Gravesend solicitor but Halifax will need to appoint a conveyancing practitioner from their approved list. The net result is additional fees and potential interruption.
• Choose a new solicitor to conduct the conveyancing, making sure they are on the Halifax conveyancing panel.
• Convince your conveyancer to pull out all the stops to join the Halifax conveyancing panel.