I am in the process of selling my home in Weymouth and the EA has just text me to advise that the buyers are changing their law firm. The excuse is that the mortgage company will only deal with solicitors on their conveyancing panel. Why would a leading lender only deal with specific lawyers rather the firm that they want to select for their conveyancing in Weymouth ?

Lenders have always had panels of law firms that can act for them, but in the past few years big names such as Santander, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for decades.

Lending institutions attribute this action to a rise in fraud as the reason for the reduction – criteria have been stiffened as a smaller panel is easier to monitor. Banks tend not to reveal how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society claims that it is being contacted daily by practices that have been removed from panels. Some are unaware that they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. Your buyers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.

Why do I have to pay up front when it comes to conveyancing in Weymouth?

Where you are retaining lawyers for conveyancing in Weymouth your lawyer will request that you to provide them with funds to cover the the cost of the conveyancing searches. Generally this is requested to cover the fees of the Local Authority Search. If any deposit is payable against the purchase price then this should be needed immediately before contracts are exchanged. The final balance that is due will be payable a couple of days ahead of the completion date.

I have 71 years remaining on my lease and require a lease extension for my apartment in Weymouth. Conveyancing solicitors on the Bank of Ireland panel can deal with such extensions right?

Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 7/12/2025 the requirements read as follows :

Is it necessary to take out insurance to cover chancel repairs when acquiring a residence in Weymouth?

Unless a previous purchase of the property took place post 12 October 2013 you can expect conveyancing practitioners delivering conveyancing in Weymouth to continue to suggest a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

We have been advised by numerous friends that it can take up to two months for Weymouth conveyancing to complete.This was a month ago. The property information was only sent to my conveyancer yesterday so now does it countdown?

One should treat with suspicion of any lawyer promising expedited completion times. Rather you should enquire about the average timeframe to complete Weymouth conveyancing transactions and whether they are happy to move towards an agreed target date for your house move in Weymouth