My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Filton. I need to find out whether they are on the The Royal Bank of Scotland approved list of lawyers. Can you advise?

You should call the solicitor and enquire whether they can act for the bank. Otherwise you should get in touch with The Royal Bank of Scotland who may be able to help.

Can you point me to a directory of Nationwide panel conveyancers in Filton on the Building Society Association’s Website?

Unfortunately not yet. There is no such directory service on the CML or Building Society Association sites. Very few banks make their panel listings open the public over the internet. If you are looking for a Filton conveyancing practitioner on the Nationwide please use our tool.

I am purchasing a property in Filton. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Barclays have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?

Given that your lender is Barclays your lawyer must follow the conveyancing instructions contained in Section 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Barclays. The CML Handbook includes minimum specifications for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancers are required to report to Barclays where a lease fails to comply with these provisions. The specifications relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not isolated to Filton.

It is not clear whether my bank requires a lease extension. I have called my Filton bank branch on numerous occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My Filton conveyancing solicitor - who is on the mortgage company conveyancing panel- called and was told they will not lend in accordance with their published requirements. Who do I believe?

Your conveyancer must follow the CML Handbook Part 2 specifications for your lender. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the lender 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 lender to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years remaining.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Filton?

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Filton. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

About to purchase a new build apartment in Filton. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Set out below are examples of a few leasehold new build questions that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Filton

Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company?

Online research suggests that Filton solicitors are more costly than Filton conveyancers in Filton when it comes to buying a house. Am I better off using a conveyancer or a solicitor where I am buying for my home move in Filton.

When it comes to conveyancing in Filton the costs are unlikely to vary dramatically depending on whether the legal expert is a licenced conveyancer or solicitor.