I am expecting a offer of a home loan from Halifax. I would like to employ the services of a Licensed Conveyancer in Barkingside. Does the Halifax Solicitor panel allow for Licensed Conveyancers?

The Halifax conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders, represented by the CML or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

Due to complete my purchase in Barkingside next Thursday. My lawyer now wants me to supply her with proof of content and building insurance for the property as he says that he has to check this in his capacity as lawyer for the mortgage company. What risks does the bank expect the insurance to cover?

All property lawyers on acting for mortgage companies would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook instructions. These obligations are not unique to conveyancing in Barkingside.

We are getting a further advance on our mortgage from Leeds Building Society as we intend to carry out improvements to our property in Barkingside. Do we need to select a high street Barkingside solicitor on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel to deal with the paperwork?

Leeds Building Society do not ordinarily appoint firms on their conveyancing panel to deal with such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Leeds Building Society panel.

Two weeks ago we had a mortgage agreed in principle with RBS. Barkingside conveyancing solicitors are appointed. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from RBS?

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

It is unclear whether my mortgage offer obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date. I have called into my local Barkingside bank branch on a couple of occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they will lend. My Barkingside conveyancing solicitor - who is on the lender conveyancing panel- telephoned to say that they would not lend in accordance with their published requirements. I have no idea who is right.

Provided that the solicitor is on the mortgage company approved list, she or he must comply with the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook provisions for the bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the mortgage company will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the bank to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years remaining.

Are there any apps to assist me to locate a Barkingside law firm on the Godiva Mortgages Ltd conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel upto 25kilometers to meet the solicitor.

Feel free to make use of the tool on this page. Please pick a lender and your location and you will see a number of Barkingside conveyancing lawyers located nearest you. We have detailed some Barkingside conveyancing firms towards the end of this page and you can call them to verify whether they are on the Godiva Mortgages Ltd member panel

We are thinking of choosing an online conveyancer as opposed to a Barkingside conveyancing firm. Should I ‘stay local’?

There are advantages of being able to attend a local Barkingside conveyancing solicitor such as

• signing papers same day
• getting face-to-face explanations of matters that need explaining
• the ability to raise concerns if matters are not going as expected

When checking fees, look out for hidden extras. Most decent Barkingside high street solicitors give an all-inclusive price. Often online agents appear to offer low cost fees, but have burried 'extras' in the in the terms and conditions.