I am getting a mortgage with Nat West. I hope to use a Licensed Conveyancer in North West London. Does the Nat West Solicitor panel exclude conveyancers regulated by the CLC?

The Nat West conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders, associated to the CML or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

We just had an offer accepted to purchase with Loughborough BS. We have called around locally but cant to find a North West London conveyancing firm on the Loughborough BS panel. Please you help?

Feel free to make the most of the search tool on this web page. Pick the lender and type North West London or your preferred area and you will discover a number of lawyer based in North West London or by proximity to you.

How does conveyancing in North West London differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in North West London come to us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is finished. This is because new home sellers in North West London tend to acquire the site, 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 conveyancers 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 used to new build conveyancing in North West London or who has acted in the same development.

Do I need to be wary about estate agents that I am dealing with are recommending a web based conveyancing firm rather than a High Street North West London conveyancing company?

As with many professional services, often input from connections can be most helpful. But there are lots of players in a conveyancing transaction; estate agents, mortgage brokers and mortgage companies might all suggest conveyancers to appoint. On occasion the solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as one of the best in their field, but occasionally there may be a financial incentive behind the endorsement. You are at liberty to choose your preferred conveyancer. However, bear in mind that many banks specify a panel list of conveyancers you have to use for the lender aspect of your home move.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in North West London. Conveyancing and Birmingham Midshires mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing solicitor in North West London who previously acted has now retired. Any advice?

The first thing you should do is make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. You do not need to instruct a North West London conveyancing solicitor to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. You should note that regardless, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

North West London Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Questions you should ask before buying

On the whole the cost for major works tend not to be included within service charges, although some managing agents in North West London require tenants to pay into a sinking fund and this is used to offset against major works. If a North West London lease has less than 80 years it will affect the value of the apartment. It is worth checking with your lender that they are happy with residual term of the lease. Leases with less than 80 years remaining means that you will almost definitely need a lease extension at some point and it is worth finding out what this will be. Remember, in most cases you will be required to have owned the premises for a couple of years in order to be eligible to carry out a lease extension. How many years remain on the lease?