I am purchasing a maisonette in Totteridge. My Solicitor is not listed on the bank solicitor list. Can I still continue with my Totteridge conveyancing solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the bank approved list?

You have a number of alternatives open to you here

• Carry on with your preferred Totteridge solicitor but your bank will undoubtedly appoint a solicitor on their approved list. This will result in additional fees and likely interruption.
• Get a new conveyancer to conduct the conveyancing, obviously checking they are on the bank conveyancing panel.
• Convince your property lawyer to do everything within their powers to join the mortgage company conveyancing panel

We are purchasing a property and require a conveyancing solicitor in Totteridge who is on the Co-operative conveyancing panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a conveyancing firm?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Co-operative . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Totteridge.

Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Totteridge. My lender is Accord Mortgages

Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 3/5/2024, the requirements read as follows :

Last month we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Aldermore. Totteridge conveyancing solicitors are appointed. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from Aldermore?

Some lenders take longer than others. Have Aldermore conducted the survey? Have you informed Aldermore as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Aldermore conveyancing panel? Sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued.

I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Totteridge. I have a mortgage offer with TSB. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with TSB, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the TSB conveyancing panel.

After what seems like an age I have had an offer on a maisonette in Totteridge accepted, but there is a chain. The owners have offered on on an apartment, however it’s not been accepted yet, and are looking at other apartments booked. I have instructed a local conveyancing solicitor in Totteridge. What should be my next step? When should I get the mortgage application with Santander going?

It is understandable to have anxieties where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to incur costs too early (home loan application is in the region of £1k, then survey, Totteridge conveyancing search fees, etc). The first course of action is to check that your conveyancing practitioner is on the Santander conveyancing panel. Concerning the next steps this very much dictated by the uniqueness of your case, motivation for this property and on the state of the market. In a hot market the majority of purchasers would apply for a home loan with Santander and pay for the valuation and only if it was satisfactory would they pay their lawyer to proceed with searches.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a ground for flat up to £195,000 and found one close by in Totteridge I like with amenity areas and station in the vicinity, the downside is that it only has 51 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Totteridge in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a short lease?

If you need a home loan that many years may be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for a minimum of 2 years you can ask them to start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor about this.