We are purchasing a 1 bedroom apartment in Moreton with a mortgage. We have a Moreton solicitor, but the bank advise he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the mortgage company panel firms or keep our Moreton conveyancing practitioner as well as pay for one of their panel lawyers to act for them. This feels very unfair; can we not insist that the lender use our Moreton conveyancer ?

No, not really. Your mortgage offer 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. Another option that might be available is for your Moreton conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

Why do I have to pay up front for conveyancing in Moreton?

Where you are retaining lawyers for conveyancing in Moreton your solicitor will request that you place them with monies to cover the search fees. This will be the total of the cost of the conveyancing searches. If any deposit is payable against the total price then this should be required immediately before contracts are exchanged. The closing balance that is due should be transferred shortly before completion.

Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Moreton. My lender is Accord Mortgages

Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 10/10/2025, the requirements read as follows :

We are a couple of weeks into a residential purchase having been recommend to solicitors by the local agent to carry out the conveyancing in Moreton. I am not happy. Could you you assist me in finding new solicitors?

A conveyancer would need to be really poor to suggest changing them. Has the loan offer been issued? If so you need to inform them of the replacement solicitor and ensure the loan are issued to the new lawyers. The conveyancer should be on the banks approved list to avoid added costs and delays. So that should be your starting point. The find a solicitor tool should help you find a bank approved solicitor for your conveyancing in Moreton

I wish to sublet my leasehold apartment in Moreton. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask him. Do I need to ask my freeholder for permission?

A small minority of properties in Moreton do contain a provision to say that subletting is only permitted with prior consent from the landlord. The landlord cannot unreasonably refuse but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience dictates that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting consent.

Moreton Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries before buying

Is anyone aware of any major works anticipated that will likely add a premium to the service costs? How much is the ground rent and service charge?