I am getting a mortgage offer from Halifax. I hope to employ the services of a Licensed Conveyancer in Totterdown. Does the Halifax Conveyancing panel exclude conveyancers regulated by the CLC?

The Halifax approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders, represented by the Council or Mortgage Lenders or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

We are purchasing a flat and require a conveyancing solicitor in Totterdown who is on the Santander solicitor panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a solicitor?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Santander . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Totterdown.

I am downsizing from our home in Totterdown and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a risk of it being constructed on contaminated land. Any local conveyancer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the purchasers are using a national conveyancing outfit rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Totterdown. We have lived in Totterdown for many years we know of no issue. Is it a good idea to contact our local Authority to obtain clarification need.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm currently acting for you. What do they say? You should check with 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 health insurance to cover that same illness)

I'm buying a new build house in Totterdown with a loan from Barclays Direct. The builders refused to budge the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of additionals instead. The estate agent told me not disclose to my solicitor about the side-deal as it will impact my loan with the lender. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

I need to instruct a conveyancing practitioner in Totterdown for my purchase. Is there any facility to review a firm’s complaints history with the profession’s regulator?

One may review documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For information Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors history, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may recorded call for training purposes.