We are purchasing a 1 bedroom flat in Grantham with a mortgage. We like our Grantham conveyancer, however the lender advise he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the mortgage company panel conveyancing practices or continue with our Grantham solicitor and pay for one of their panel firms to act for them. We regard this is inequitable; is there anything we can do?

No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your Grantham conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

A relative informed me that in buying a property in Grantham there could be a number of restrictions affecting the ability to carry out external alterations to a property. Is this right?

There are a number of properties in Grantham which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to carry out external changes. Part of the conveyancing in Grantham should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

I am the single beneficiary of my late mum's estate and I have everything in my name now, including the my former home in Grantham. The Grantham property was put into my name in September. I plan to dispose of the property. I do know about the CML six month 'rule', meaning my property ownership may be treated the same way as though I had purchased the property in September. Do I have to wait half a year to sell?

The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ handbook obliges conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." Technically you might be caught by that. How sensible a view mortgage companies take of it, depend on the lender as this obligation primarily exists to capture the purchase and immediately sell or the flipping of property.

When it comes to mortgage companies such as Barclays, do Grantham conveyancers incur a yearly amount to be on the list of approved solicitors?

We are unaware of any mortgage company fees to register on their panel, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.

I am selling our home in Grantham and according to the buyers it appears that there is a risk of it being built on contaminated land. Any local conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the buyers are using a factory type conveyancing firm as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Grantham. Having lived in Grantham for three years we know that this is a non issue. Is it a good idea to contact our local Authority to obtain confirmation that the buyers are looking for.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing lawyer currently acting for you. What do they say? You must enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same ailment)

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build flat in Grantham. 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 enquiries that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Grantham

Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose?

I'm remortgaging my current home to a BTL mortgage with Barnsley Building Society and I will use the ballance of the raised equity towards a second property. The neighborhood we are talking about is Grantham. Will your lawyers be able to act for both sets of mortgage companies and link together the conveyances?

Make use of our comparison tool on this page to check that the solicitors are on the appropriate lender panels. Having checked that they are the conveyancer will be able to connect the two transactions but you should talk with you conveyancer and communicate your expectations and requirements.