We are purchasing a 1 bedroom apartment in Preston Park with a mortgage. We wish to retain our Preston Park lawyer, but the bank says he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the lender panel conveyancing practices or retain our Preston Park solicitor and pay for one of their panel firms to represent them. This feels very unfair; is there anything we can do?

No, not really. Your mortgage offer 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. A further alternative is for your Preston Park conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

Can you explain why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Preston Park costs more?

The conveyancing fees on a leasehold property in Preston Park is frequently greater as compared to a freehold transaction. This is because there is an amount of extra work necessary in corresponding with the freeholder and managing agents to obtain evidence concerning whether the rent and maintenance fee have been discharged and whether there are any significant expenditure in the foreseeable future on repairs or maintenance of the block.

My uncle advised me that in purchasing a property in Preston Park there could be various restrictions affecting the ability to carry out external changes to a property. Is this right?

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

Does a directory service exist listing Yorkshire BS panel solicitors in Preston Park on the Building Society Association’s Website?

No. There is no such facility on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. A small selection of lenders make their panel listings available online. If you are in need of a Preston Park conveyancer on the Yorkshire BS please make the most of our tool.

Is it the case that all Preston Park solicitor firms on the Principality conveyancing panel are overseen by the SRA?

As solicitors, in order to be on the Principality conveyancing panel they would need to be governed by the SRA. Many lenders do permit licenced conveyancers on their panel and in such a situation the organisation would be overseen by the CLC.

We're novice buyers - had an offer accepted, yet the agent has warned us that the seller will only move forward if we appoint their preferred lawyers as they want a ‘quick sale’. We would rather use a high street solicitor with experience of conveyancing in Preston Park

It is highly unlikely the sellers are driving this. Should the vendor desire ‘a quick sale', alienating a serious purchaser is is going to put the whole deal at risk. Try to communicate with the owners directly and make the point that (a)you are genuine purchasers (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances in place © you do not need to sell (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you will continue to use your own,trusted Preston Park conveyancing firm - as opposed tothose that will give their negotiator at the agency a referral fee or meet his conveyancing figures set by head office.

Looking forward to sign contracts shortly on a basement flat in Preston Park. Conveyancing lawyers have said that they report fully on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Preston Park should include some of the following:

The unexpired lease term. You should receive guidance as what happens when the lease ends, and aware of the importance of not letting the lease term falling below eighty years You would want to receive a copy of the lease Repair and maintenance of the flat Ground rent - what is payable and when is collected, and also know whether this will change in the future You should be informed what is to be regarded as a Nuisance as far as the lease is concerned

Preston Park Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

Please tell me if there are any major works anticipated that will likely increase the maintenance costs? In the main the cost for major works tend not to be built into the maintenance charges, although some managing agents in Preston Park require leasehold owners to pay into a sinking fund and this is used to offset against major works. What restrictions are contained in the Preston Park Lease?