I am progressing with the sale of my maisonette in West Yorkshire and the estate agent has just text me to advise that the purchasers are changing their law firm. I am told that this is due to the fact that the mortgage company will only work with solicitors on their approved list. Why would a leading lender only deal with certain solicitors rather the firm that they want to appoint to handle their conveyancing in West Yorkshire ?
Mortgage companies have always had panels of law firms they are willing to work with, but in the last few years big names such as Yorkshire Building Society, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have represented them for over 25 years.
Mortgage companies blame a rise in fraud as the reason for the cull – criteria have been narrowed as a smaller panel is easier to keep an eye on. Banks tend not to disclose how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society claims that it is being contacted daily by practices that have been removed from panels. Some are unaware that they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. Your purchasers are not going to have any sway in the decision.
I have 70 years left on my lease and need a lease extension for my apartment in West Yorkshire. Conveyancing solicitors on the Platform panel can deal with such extensions right?
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. Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 2/12/2023 the requirements read as follows :
Just bought a semi-detached house in West Yorkshire , What is the estimated time for the Land Registry to record the transfer to my name? My West Yorkshire conveyancing solicitor works at snail pace, so I want to be sure that my purchase is recorded.
As far as conveyancing in West Yorkshire registration is no faster or slower than anywhere else in the country. Rather than based on location, timeframes can differ subject to the party submitting the application, whether it is in order and if the Land registry have to notify any third parties. As of today roughly 80% of such applications are fully addressed in less than three weeks but occasionally there can be extensive delays. Registration is effected once the new owner has moved in to the premises so registration formalities is not always an essential issue but if it is urgent that the the registration takes place urgently then you or your solicitor must contact the land registry and explain the circumstances.
Are there any apps to help locate a West Yorkshire solicitor on the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society conveyancing panel? I drive a motor bike and am happy to travel upto 25kilometers to meet the lawyer.
You can use the facility on this page. Please pick a bank and your location and you will see a number of West Yorkshire conveyancing lawyers based on proximity. We have detailed some West Yorkshire conveyancing firms at the bottom of this page and you can telephone them to see if they are on the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society approved list
I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing solicitor in West Yorkshire for my purchase. Is there any facility to see a solicitor's complaints history with the profession’s regulator?
Anyone can find documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations stemming from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For information about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's record, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may recorded call for training reasons.