Me and my fiance are buying a 2 bedroom apartment in Harwell with a mortgage. We have a Harwell conveyancer, but the mortgage company advise she’s not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the bank panel solicitors or continue with our Harwell lawyer as well as pay for one of their panel lawyers to represent them. This seems very unfair; can we not demand that the mortgage company use our Harwell solicitor ?

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 bank’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. A further alternative is for your Harwell conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

About to place a bid on a leasehold apartment in Harwell. The property agents say that it is usual for flats in Harwell to have less than 75 years remaining. I am taking out a mortgage with Tesco Bank. Is this going to be acceptable if the lease has 69 years unexpired.

Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 12/8/2025 the requirements read as follows :

How does conveyancing in Harwell differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Harwell approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is ready to move into. This is because builders in Harwell typically purchase the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Harwell or who has acted in the same development.

I have just started marketing my 2 bed flat in Harwell. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed, but I have recently received a quarterly service charge invoice – Do I pay up?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should discharge the service charge as normal because all rents and maintenance charges should be apportioned on completion, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Harwell - Examples of Queries Prior to buying

Its a good idea to find out as much as you can about the company managing the block as they can either make living at the property much easier or uncomfortable. As the owner of a leasehold property you are often in the clutches of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to daily issues such as the upkeep of the common parts. You should not be afraid to ask other people what they think of their service. Finally, be sure you know the dates that the maintenance charges are due to the managing agents and precisely what you get for your money. How much is the ground rent and service charge?

My husband and I are disposing of a Harwell bungalow we inherited ten years ago in 2011. I have over a decades worth of conveyancing know-how and, although retired, see no reason not to conduct the conveyancing. The buyer's lawyer has informed me that their mortgage company will not allow you to do your own conveyancing mandating that the funds to be sent to a solicitor's bank account.

Lending requirements to conveyancing practitioners from all CML members specify that If the vendor is not legally represented the borrower's lawyers should check whether the lender needs to be notified so that a decision can be made as to whether or not they are prepared to proceed.