My partner and I are intent on purchasing a maisonette in Soho. My lawyer is not on the lender conveyancing panel. Is it possible for me to use my Soho conveyancing solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the mortgage company list of approved lawyers?

One must have a to deal with the formalities when you take out a mortgage to buy your home. The will carry out all the essential due diligence on the property, make sure that you will be registered as proprietor and ensure that all the required mortgage documentation is dealt with. One may instruct a Soho of your choosing. Nevertheless, where the appointed is not on the mortgage company approved list further costs will be incurred as separate legal representation will be need by the mortgage company. Lender panel applications may be submitted, so if your conveyancer has not historically sought membership they should take the chance to apply.

My house in Soho is up for sale and I have accepted an offer. Does the need to be required to be on the conveyancing panel in order to deal with repayment of my mortgage?

Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. It might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their specifications fairly frequently currently.

Me and my partner are purchasing a apartment in Soho. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a solicitor? On the day of competition we have to send funds into their account. What protection do we have from them run away with our money?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

Are all Soho Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the conveyancing panel?

Some major banks and building societies now make use of the accreditation scheme as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitors wishing to remain on their panels.

I currently have a mortgage with for my property in Soho. Conveyancing has been completed some time ago. Should I wish to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform ?

must be informed of your intention before renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of ’s mortgage conditions. It may be that will permit you to let out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a conveyancing panel firm.

I decided to have a survey completed on a property in Soho prior to appointing solicitors. I have been told that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. Our surveyor advised that some mortgage companies will refuse to issue a loan on a flying freehold property.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different requirements from Nationwide. If you call us we can look into this further via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Soho. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

I acquired a studio flat in Soho, conveyancing formalities finalised 1995. Can you let me have an estimated range of the fair premium for a lease extension? Corresponding flats in Soho with over 90 years remaining are worth £165,000. The ground rent is £45 yearly. The lease expires on 21st October 50

You have 50 years unexpired the likely cost is going to range between £36,100 and £41,800 as well as costs.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to advice on the actual costs without more detailed investigations. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.