Me and my partner are buying a 1 bedroom flat in Whitechapel with a mortgage. We wish to retain our Whitechapel conveyancer, but the mortgage company advise she’s not on their "panel". It appears that we have little option but to appoint one of the mortgage company panel conveyancing practices or retain our Whitechapel conveyancing practitioner as well as pay for one of their panel lawyers to act for them. This feels very unfair; are we not able to require that the lender use our Whitechapel property lawyer ?

No, not really. The mortgage offered to you 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. A further alternative is for your Whitechapel conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

I purchased a freehold property in Whitechapel yet charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Whitechapel and has limited impact for conveyancing in Whitechapel but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 will be extinguished.

Are the BSA intent on creating a searchable register to to identify practices on the Darlington Building Society conveyancing panel for instance in Whitechapel?

We have not been informed any intention on the part of the BSA to promote such a tool.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Whitechapel is where the house is located. Is there any guidance you can give?

Flying freeholds in Whitechapel are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Whitechapel you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Whitechapel may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.

What tools are available to identify a Whitechapel solicitor on the Nottingham Building Society conveyancing panel? I drive a motor bike and am willing to travel upto 25kilometers to meet the lawyer.

Feel free to make use of the facility on this website. Please select a mortgage company and your location and you will see a number of Whitechapel conveyancing lawyers located nearest you. We have detailed some Whitechapel conveyancing firms at the bottom of this page and you can contact them to see whether they are on the Nottingham Building Society panel