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Find a Durham Conveyancing Solictior on Your Lender’s Panel

Ready to buy a new home in Durham? Failing to check that a lawyer is on your lender’s list of approved solicitors can put your Durham transaction at risk of delay or failure.

Only LenderPanel.com provides a subset of authorised Durham conveyancers for over 130 lenders.


Recently asked questions about conveyancing in Durham

Is there a reason why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Durham costs more?

In short, leasehold conveyancing in Durham and elsewhere usually requires additional work compared to freehold transactions. This includes lease investigation, communicating with the landlord about the service of applicable notices, securing current service charge and management information, procuring the freeholder’s consents and reviewing management accounts. The obligations on both the landlord and the tenant in the lease need to be studied by the buyer’s conveyancing team and read from beginning to end – regardless of the fact the lease has passed through many different property solicitors hands since it was first entered into.

I am considering applying for a Bank of Ireland mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) in Durham with 60% loan to value. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Bank of Ireland ?

In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel, but Bank of Ireland would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.

I am helping my step-mother sell her house in Durham. Will the conveyancer order an EPC or it is for the owner to coordinate?

After the demise of HIPs, EPC’s was maintained a required component of selling a house. An EPC needs to be commissioned before the property is advertised. It is not a task that conveyancers ordinarily organise. Where you are instructing a Durham conveyancing lawyer they might help arrange EPC’s given their relationships with reputable local energy assessors

Are all Durham Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Kent Reliance conveyancing list of approved solicitors?

A selection of banks and building societies now use CQS as the kick off point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. CQS accreditation however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitors wishing to join their approved list of firms.

I can not fathom if my bank requires a lease extension. I have telephoned my Durham building society branch on various occasions and was informed it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My Durham conveyancing solicitor - who is on the mortgage company conveyancing panel- called and was told they will not lend in accordance with their specific requirements. Who do I believe?

As long as the property lawyer is on the bank panel, they must follow the CML Handbook conditions 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 mortgage company to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years remaining.

Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Durham ahead of instructing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. The surveyor has said that some lenders may refuse to issue a mortgage on a flying freehold home.

It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different requirements for example to Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can check via the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Durham. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

I'm converting the mortgage on my primary home to a BTL mortgage with Coventry Building Society and intend to use the remaining equity as a deposit on another property. The location we are talking about is Durham. Will your solicitors be able to act for the two lenders and tie in the transactions?

Do use our comparison tool on this site to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panels. Having checked that they are your solicitor should be able to simultaneously deal with the two conveyancing matters but you should talk with you conveyancer and specify your desired outcome and needs.

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Find out more about how flying freehold can affect your the value of a property.