I am considering applying for a Barclays mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) in Edgware with 60% LTV. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Barclays ?
In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the Barclays conveyancing panel, but Barclays 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 transaction.
Is it the case that all Edgware solicitor firms on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel are regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?
As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel they would need to be governed by the SRA. Some mortgage companies do permit licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be governed by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
It is unclear whether my bank obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date. I have called my Edgware building society branch on a couple of occasions and was told it does not impact the mortgage offer and they would lend. My Edgware conveyancing solicitor - who is on the mortgage company conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told they would not lend in accordance with their UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook minimum lease term requirements. Who do I believe?
Provided that the solicitor is on the bank panel, she or he must comply with 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 bank to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.
I had an offer accepted on an apartment in Edgware on 19/11/2025, valuation was booked 3 days after, all came back fine. Property lawyer appointed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Bank of Ireland and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?
Mortgage companies tend not to 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.
I have justfound out that Arc property Solicitors have closed. They conducted my conveyancing in Edgware for a purchase of a freehold house 9 months ago. How can I check that my home is registered correctly in the name of the previous owner?
The easiest way to see if the property is in your name, you can make a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Edgware conveyancing specialists.
I was advised by numerous estate agents in Edgware to get a quote from a solicitor on your site. What’s the financial advantage for Estate Agents to offer your site over and above a competitor’s?
We don’t offer any commission for directing people in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission as members of the public would think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.
What are my options where I am unhappy with the property lawyer who carried out my conveyancing in Edgware?
Occasionally the level of service you receive is not as you expect, and is is a fact of life that occasionally matters do not go as planned. Nevertheless there is recourse if you were dissatisfied with your conveyancing in Edgware. This varies from trying to resolve matters directly with them, through to reporting a conveyancer to their regulator. If you remain aggrieved you may consider enlisting the help of the Legal Ombudsman.