My IFA says he needs my Limehouse lawyer’ panel reference for the HSBC conveyancing panel. Can you suggest how I find this out. I have called my local Limehouse office but they cant find it on their system.

The sensible thing to do is ask for this information from your Limehouse conveyancer . They keep a central record lender panel numbers.

I am hoping to move into my new home in Limehouse next Friday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as he says that he has to check this in his capacity as lawyer for the mortgage company. What risks does the lender expect the insurance to cover?

All property lawyers on acting for banks would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook instructions. These requirements are not unique to conveyancing in Limehouse.

My fiance and I intend to purchase a 2 bedroom flat in Limehouse with a loan from Yorkshire Building Society.We like our Limehouse conveyancing solicitor but Yorkshire Building Society says he's not listed on their "panel". It seems we are left with no choice but to instruct a Yorkshire Building Society panel solicitor or retain our local solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to act for them. We feel as though this is unjust; Can we not simply insist that Yorkshire Building Society use our lawyer?

Unfortunately,no. The home loan offered to you is subject to its various provisions, one of which will be that solicitors must be on the Yorkshire Building Society approved list. in the past, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could find one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Yorkshire Building Society

Am I better off to go with a Limehouse conveyancing solicitor who is local to the property I am purchasing? An old friend can perform the legal work however his firm is located 300kilometers drive away.

The primary upside of using a high street Limehouse conveyancing practice is that you can pop in to sign paperwork, deliver your ID and pester them if necessary. Having local Limehouse know how is a bonus. That being said it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If other friends have used your friend and in the main were content that should surpass using an unknown Limehouse conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being based in the area.

What can I do to discover who owns a property in Limehouse?

Assuming that the property is registered with HM Land Registry, and you have requisite specifics of the address of the property, you should be able to see details from the HM Land Registry of the recorded owner for a fee.