I can't travel far from Canonbury. I would like to know the logic why all Canonbury conveyancing practitioners are not on all bank panels?

As inequitable as it may seem for mortgage companies to restrict who can represent them, from the public’s or conveyancer’s point of view, the the contrary view is that lenders are increasingly anxious and feel it imperative to protect them from mortgage fraud. As a result of this concern lenders have restricted their conveyancing panel to a manageable size.

I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Canonbury. My lender is Platform

Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 19/9/2025, the requirements read as follows :

If you had a top tip for choosing a conveyancing solicitor in Canonbury what would it be?

It would be unwise to be tempted by the cheapest Canonbury conveyancing costs illustration. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to property lawyers. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

I was told four weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by Bank of Ireland. Is it usual for Bank of Ireland to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Canonbury is approved on their conveyancing panel? Bank of Ireland have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their PI Insurance.

A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Bank of Ireland to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

Coventry BS have agreed my mortgage in principle, my bid on a apartment in Canonbury has been accepted, what are the next steps?

The property agent will want to be advised as to your lawyer's details (ensure that the conveyancers are on the bank’s panel). Contact Coventry BS or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Coventry BS will instruct a valuer who will get in contact with the selling agent or owners to schedule a slot for the valuation to occur. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about ten days to get a mortgage offer. Coventry BS will issue the offer to you and your lawyers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Canonbury.

I opted to have a survey completed on a property in Canonbury prior to retaining conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. Our surveyor has said that some mortgage companies may refuse to give a mortgage on such a house.

It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different instructions from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to telephone us we can check via the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Canonbury. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Canonbury to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

Is there an average legal costs for conveyancing in Canonbury?

The average fee in 2014 for conveyancing in Canonbury was just under one thousand five hundred pounds excluding Land Tax and HM Land Registry charges.