We are purchasing a 1 bedroom apartment in Stone Cross with a mortgage. We would like to retain our Stone Cross lawyer, however the mortgage company advise she’s not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the mortgage company panel firms or keep our Stone Cross lawyer as well as pay for one of their panel firms to act for them. This feels very unfair; can we not require that the bank use our Stone Cross conveyancer ?

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 Stone Cross conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

Can your site be used to locate a Conveyancing solicitor in Stone Cross even where I’m not purchasing or disposing of a house, for instance if I wish to acquire an office in Stone Cross with a mortgage from Godiva Mortgages Ltd?

Our search tool is mainly there to select domestic conveyancing solicitors in Stone Cross but we have listed at the bottom of this page a few Stone Cross commercial conveyancing firms. You will need to make contact with the firm directly to see if they can also act for Godiva Mortgages Ltd

five months have gone by following my purchase conveyancing in Stone Cross took place. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £170,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the residence from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

My cousin has suggested that I appoint his conveyancers in Stone Cross. Should I use them?

There are no two ways about it the best way to select a conveyancing practitioner is to get feedback from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor you're considering.

We have had DIP from Virgin Money who said that they will loan up to £300k. When do I need to appoint a practitioner for conveyancing? Stone Cross is where we are purchasing.

You can appoint a property lawyer now and ask them to create a file on your behalf. This will trigger: 1) the estate agent to send out the Sales Memo to all parties 2) the seller’s conveyancing practitioner to send out the draft contract. However, do not instruct your conveyancing practitioner to start searches until you have your valuation report via Virgin Money and you are happy to proceed.