I am 4 weeks into the sale of my house in Dockland Settlement and the EA has just e-mailed to advise that the buyers are swapping solicitor. The reason given is that the lender will only engage with solicitors on their approved list. Why would a major mortgage company only deal with specific law firms rather the firm that they want to select to handle their conveyancing in Dockland Settlement ?

UK lenders have always had panels of law firms that can represent them, but in the last few years big names such as Santander, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have represented them for many years.

Lending institutions point to the increase in fraud by way of justification for the reduction – criteria have been tightened as a smaller panel is easier to maintain. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society claims that it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels. Some are unaware that they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. The buyers are not going to have any impact on this.

We are planning to acquire a house and require a conveyancing solicitor in Dockland Settlement who is on the Clydesdale approved 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 Clydesdale . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Dockland Settlement.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on a fortnight ago in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Dockland Settlement is where the house is located. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Dockland Settlement are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Dockland Settlement you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds diligently. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Dockland Settlement may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.

I need to find a conveyancing solicitor for some conveyancing in Dockland Settlement. I happened to discover a site which seems to have the ideal answer If it is possible to get all this stuff done via email that would be ideal. Do I need to be wary? What should out be looking out for?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

I am looking at a couple of maisonettes in Dockland Settlement both have about fifty years unexpired on the leases. Will this present a problem?

There is no doubt about it. A leasehold apartment in Dockland Settlement is a deteriorating asset as a result of the shortening lease. The closer the lease gets to its expiry date, the more it adversely affects the salability of the property. For most purchasers and banks, leases with less than eighty years become less and less attractive. On a more positive note, leaseholders can extend their leases by serving a Section 42 Notice. One stipulation is that they must have owned the property for two years (unlike a Section 13 notice for purchasing the freehold, when leaseholders can participate from day one of ownership). When successful, they will have the right to an extension of 90 years to the current term and ground rent is effectively reduced to zero. Before moving forward with a purchase of premises with a short lease term remaining you should talk to a solicitor specialising in lease extensions and leasehold enfranchisement. We are are happy to put you in touch with Dockland Settlement conveyancing experts who will explain the options available to you during an initial telephone conversation free of charge. More often than not it is possible to negotiate informally with the freeholder to extend the lease. You may find he or she is happy to negotiate informally and willing to consider your offer straight off, without having to involve anyone else. This will save you time and money and it could help you reach a lower price on the lease. You need to ensure that any new terms represent good long-term value compared with the standard benefits of the Section 42 Notice and that onerous clauses are not inserted into any redrafting of the lease.

My wife and I have hit a brick wall in trying to purchase the freehold in Dockland Settlement. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

You certainly can. We can put you in touch with a Dockland Settlement conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a Dockland Settlement property is 73 Walerand Road in August 2012. the result of the findings of the Tribunal led to a premium to be paid for the extended lease in respect of Flat 73 in the sum of £10,040. The premium applicable in respect of Flat 85 was £5,710. This case was in relation to 2 flats. The remaining number of years on the lease was 72 years.