My husband and I are approaching an exchange on a house in Twickenham and my parents have transferred the 10% deposit to my solicitor. I am now advised that as the deposit has been sent from someone other than me my solicitor needs to make a notification to my bank. Apparently, in also acting for the lender he must inform them that the balance of the purchase price is coming from anyone other than me. I advised the bank concerning my parents' contribution when I applied for the mortgage, so is it really necessary for this now to delay the deal?

The conveyancer is obliged to clarify with the bank to make sure that they know that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own resources. Your solicitor can only notify this to your lender if you permit them to, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.

We see that you have a post code search directory identifying solicitors on the RBS conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a referral fee if I retain them for our own conveyancing in Twickenham?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the RBS conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Twickenham.

I had intended to instruct a property lawyer in Twickenham for our house purchase. Our financial adviser has since advised us that our bank Accord Mortgages Ltd won't deal with them. Surely this is unfair competition?

Mortgage Companies tend to restrict either the type or the number of conveyancing firms on their panel. Typical examples of such criteria being that a firm must have two or more partners. As well as restricting the type of firm, a few lenders have limited the amount of solicitor practices they use to represent them. Be aware that Accord Mortgages Ltd have no responsibility for the quality of advice provided by any member of Accord Mortgages Ltd Conveyancer Panel. Mortgage fraud was a key driver in the reduction of solicitor panels since 2008 even though there are differing views about the level of solicitor engagement in some of that fraud. Statistics from the Land Registry indicate that hundreds of law firms, including some in or near Twickenham only conduct a couple conveyances a year.

Should commercial conveyancing searches reveal impending roadworks that could impact a commercial estate in Twickenham?

Many commercial conveyancing solicitors in Twickenham will conduct a SiteSolutions Highways report as it reduces the time that conveyancers invest in researching accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Twickenham. The search result provides definitive data on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Twickenham.

For each commercial conveyancing transaction in Twickenham it is crucial to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. The absence of identifying developments where adoption procedures have not been dealt with adequately can result in delays to Twickenham commercial conveyancing deals as well as pose a risk to future plans for the site. These searches are not ordered for domestic conveyancing in Twickenham.

We're new to the buying process - had an offer accepted, but the property agent told us that the owners will only issue a contract if we appoint their chosen solicitors as they want an ‘expedited deal’. We would rather use a high street solicitor used to conveyancing in Twickenham

It is unlikely the vendors are driving this. If they desire ‘a quick sale', turning down a serious buyer is not the way to achieve this. Bypass the agents and go straight to the owners and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to progress, with mortgage lined up © you are chain free (d) you wish to move quickly (e)however you are going to use your preferred Twickenham conveyancing lawyers - not the ones that will give their negotiator at the agency a commission or achieve conveyancing thresholds set by corporate headquarters.