We are buying a 1 bedroom flat in Sanderstead with a mortgage. We wish to retain our Sanderstead lawyer, but the bank says he's not on their "panel". It appears that we have little choice but to appoint one of the bank panel solicitors or continue with our Sanderstead conveyancing practitioner and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. We feel that this is unjust; is there anything we can do?
No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose 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 Sanderstead conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
My partner and I are purchasing our first home. Our conveyancer has calledto see if we would like to order extra conveyancing searches. We are really unsure what's relevant for conveyancing in Sanderstead
The type of Sanderstead conveyancing searches depends primarily on the property, the location, the likelihood of any of these risks, your familiarity of the locality and risks, your overall approach to risk. What matters is that you properly understand what information each search could provide. Then you can decide if you personally think you need that information. Should you be unsure, ask your lawyer to recommend.
When can the exchange of contracts occur in domestic conveyancing in Sanderstead and am I required to attend the conveyancers office?
Where you are round the corner to our conveyancing solicitors in Sanderstead you are invited in to sign contracts. However, the lender approved solicitors we work with supply countrywide coverage for conveyancing and give just as diligent and professional a job for you when dealing with you by post or email. The executing of the contract is not when everything is set in stone. A signed contract is necessary for the conveyancer to exchange contracts when the time is right, which is ordinarily shortly after signing. The procedure is nowadays normally dealt with by telephone and can be very rapid, although where an extended "chain" is in the mix, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Sanderstead)to be in the office available at the end of the phone to exchange contracts.
We're in Sanderstead, First timers purchasing with a mortgage (lender is Bank of Ireland , and our solicitor is on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancer should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.
I used Stirling Law several years ago for my conveyancing in Sanderstead. I now require my papers however the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?
You should call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Sanderstead of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.