I plan on purchasing property in Thurrock. My Conveyancer has never been on on the lender approved list. Is it possible for me to continue with my Thurrock conveyancing solicitor notwithstanding that they are excluded from the lender panel of approved conveyancing solicitors?

Various options include

• Carry on with your chosen Thurrock conveyancing practitioner but your lender will need to use a conveyancing practitioner from their conveyancing panel. The net result is additional fees and potential frustration.
• Choose a new lawyer to act in the purchase, ensuring that they are on the lender conveyancing panel.
• Convince your conveyancer to seek to join the lender panel

Completed the sale of my flat in Thurrock last January but my buyer keeps texting me to moan that his solicitor needs to hear from mine. What are the post completion sale legalities now that I have sold?

Following your house sale your conveyancer is committed to forward the transfer documentation and all supplemental paperwork to the buyer’s lawyers. Depending on the transaction, your conveyancer must also confirm that the mortgage has been repaid to the purchasers lawyers. There is unlikely to be post completion steps specific conveyancing in Thurrock.

I am about to put an offer on a leasehold property in Thurrock. The property agents tell me that it is usual for flats in Thurrock to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am getting a mortgage with Tesco Bank. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has Seventy One years left.

Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 30/4/2024 the requirements read as follows :

I'm buying my first flat in Thurrock with a mortgage from Yorkshire Building Society. The builders refused to reduce the amount so I negotiated £7000 of extras instead. The sale representative advised me not disclose to my solicitor about the deal as it would impact my mortgage with the lender. Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

My brother has recommend that I appoint his conveyancers in Thurrock. Do I take his recommendation?

No doubt the best way to choose a conveyancing solicitor is to get feedback from friends or family who have actually experience in using the solicitor that you are considering.