My fiance and I are planning to buy a house in Oundle and have instructed a Oundle conveyancing firm. Within the last couple of days our solicitor has forwarded the sale agreement to be signed with a detailed report in anticipation of exchanging contracts shortly. Britannia have this morning contacted us to advise us that there is now an issue as our Oundle lawyer is not on their conveyancing panel. Is this a problem?

When purchasing a property with the benefit of a mortgage it is usual for the purchasers' lawyers to also represent the purchaser's lender. In order to act for a bank or building society a law firm has to be on that lender's conveyancing panel. An application has to be made by the law firm to the lender to become a member of the lender's panel and there are increasingly strict criteria which the firm has to satisfy and indeed some lenders now require their panel members to be part of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Accreditation Scheme. Your property lawyer should contact your mortgage company and see if they can apply for membership of their conveyancing panel, but if that is not viable they will instruct their own lawyers to represent them. You are not legally obliged to appoint a law firm on the lender’s conveyancing panel and you may continue to use your own Oundle solicitors, in which case it will likely add costs, and it may delay matters as you are adding another lawyer into the mix.

We previously instructed solicitors based in Oundle on the HSBC solicitor approved list. They have just invoiced me an additional amount for the legal aspects of the HSBC mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee specified by HSBC?

As unfair as it may appear, as long as it’s in their Terms and Conditions or estimate then yes your solicitor may levy a fee for this. The fee is not set by HSBC but by your Oundle conveyancing practitioner. Plenty of firms on the HSBC panel will levy ’dealing with mortgage’ fee and others do not.

Can I be sure that the Oundle conveyancing solicitor on the Barclays panel is any good?

When it comes to conveyancing in Oundle obtaining recommendations is a sensible start. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one advertising the lowest fees. We would always suggest that you speak with the solicitor handling your conveyancing.

We are getting the release of further monies on our mortgage from Leeds Building Society as we wish to conduct alterations to our house in Oundle. Are we obliged to select a nearby Oundle solicitor on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel to handle the legals?

Leeds Building Society do not ordinarily appoint a member of their conveyancing panel to handle the formalities. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Leeds Building Society panel.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a property I have offered on two weeks back in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Oundle is the location of the property. Is there any advice you can give?

Flying freeholds in Oundle are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Oundle you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds thoroughly. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Oundle may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.

I am looking to sell my home. My past conveyancers has retired. I am in need of a recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in Oundle if that affects matters.

Please use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Oundle. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with regulated solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move goes smoothly.

Is there a distinction between surveying and conveyancing in Oundle?

Conveyancing - in Oundle or elsewhere - is the process of legally transferring legal title of property from one person to another. It involves the investigation of the title. Whether buying or selling, you should be aware of anything affecting the property such as proposals by government departments, illegal buildings, or outstanding rates. The conveyancer should conduct the appropriate searches and inquiries on the property. Surveying relates to the structure of a property itself. A surveyor will look at a house, flat and any outbuildings you are buying and will help you discover the condition of the building and, if there are problems, give you leverage for reducing the price down or asking the seller to remedy the defects before you move in.