I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Staines. My lender is Chelsea Building Society
Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 29/1/2026, the requirements read as follows :
We are intent on selling our home in Staines and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a risk of it being built land that was not decontaminated. A high street Staines conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the purchasers instructed an online conveyancing outfit rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Staines. Having lived in Staines for six years we know of no issue. Should we get in touch with our local Authority to get confirmation need.
It would appear that you have a conveyancing firm already. What do they say? You need to check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same ailment)
How does conveyancing in Staines differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Staines come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is completed. This is because new home sellers in Staines tend to buy the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Staines or who has acted in the same development.
How simple is it to transfer to a new conveyancer as I need to instruct a firm on the Santander conveyancing panel. I had appointed a local conveyancing solicitor in Staines round the corner but she is not approved by Santander
We will our best to assist in finding you a conveyancing solicitor in Staines on the Santander panel. Please note that the law firms that we on the directory do not pay us commission if you instruct them and are fully regulated by the SRA who oversee all conveyancing solicitors in Staines. Using search facility on this website, you can compare and instruct different solicitors and conveyancers both nationally and in Staines.
I need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Staines for my sale. Is it possible to check a solicitor's record with the legal regulator?
You can read documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations stemming from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find information about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors history, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator could monitor telephone calls for training purposes.