I am expecting a offer of a home loan from Halifax. My intention is to use a Licensed Conveyancer in Durham. Does the Halifax Solicitor panel allow for Licensed Conveyancers?

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

I am about to put an offer on a leasehold property in Durham. The property agents advise that it is standard for flats in Durham to have less than 75 years left on the lease. I am obtaining a loan with Bank of Ireland. Is this going to be a problem if the lease has Seventy One years left.

Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 29/10/2025 the requirements read as follows :

My wife and I are in the process of viewing apartments in Durham and I am about to put in an offer. Should I already have a property lawyer in place at this point? I will be getting a home loan with UBS.

You should start requesting conveyancing estimates from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their contact information on to the EA. As you are taking out a mortgage with UBS, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the UBS conveyancing panel.

I have instructed a Durham lawyer having checked that they are on the HSBC conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?

HSBC will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually HSBC will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Durham surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.

At last I have had an offer on an apartment in Durham accepted, but there is a chain. The vendors have put an offer on somewhere, but it’s not yet agreed to, and have viewings of other properties booked. I have instructed a nearby conveyancing solicitor in Durham. What do I do now? When do I get the mortgage application with Clydesdale started?

It is usual to have concerns where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket too early (home loan application is approx one thousand pounds, then survey, Durham conveyancing search fees, etc). The first course of action is to ensure that your solicitor is on the Clydesdale approved list. As to the next phase this very much depends on the circumstances of your case, desire for this property and on the state of the market. In a buoyant market some purchasers would apply for the mortgage with Clydesdale and pay for the valuation and only if it was satisfactory would they pay their conveyancer to move forward with the conveyancing in Durham.

I have been sourcing a conveyancing solicitor in Durham for my house move. Can I check a solicitor's record with the profession’s regulator?

Anyone may search for documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from investigations commenced on or after 1 January 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA may recorded telephone calls for training purposes.

Due to sign contracts shortly on a leasehold property in Durham. Conveyancing lawyers assured me that they are sending me a report tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Durham should include some of the following:

Does the lease prohibit wood flooring? Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your premises and do you know what it means in practice? Additions to the flat Responsibility for maintaining the window frames What options are open to you if a neighbour is in violation of a provision in their lease?

Durham Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

What prohibitions exist in the Durham Lease? In the main the outlay for major works are not included within service charges, although a few managing agents in Durham obliged leasehold owners to contribute towards a reserve fund and this is used to offset against larger repairs or maintenance. Please note if it is fewer than 80 years it will have adverse implications on the marketability of the property. It is worth checking with your bank that they are willing to go ahead with the loan given the lease term. A short lease means that you will probably have to extend the lease sooner rather than later and you need to have some idea of how much this will be. Remember, in most cases you will be required to have owned the residence for 24 months in order to be eligible to carry out a lease extension.