I am nearing exchange of contracts for my ground floor flat in Whitworth and the EA has just e-mailed to advise that the purchasers are switching conveyancer. The excuse is that the lender will only deal with property lawyers on their conveyancing panel. On what basis would a big named lender only work with certain lawyers rather the firm that they want to appoint to handle their conveyancing in Whitworth ?

Banks have always had panels of law firms that can act for them, but in recent years big names such as Nationwide, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have represented them for more than 15 years.

Banks point to the increase in fraud as the reason for the cull – criteria have been stiffened as a smaller panel is easier to keep an eye on. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels. Plenty of firms do not even realise 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.

We are about to exchange contracts for a ground floor flat in Whitworth. We have hit a problem. Our loan offer with Leeds Building Society expires on 20/2/2026 but the owners are suggesting a completion date of 24/2/2026. Can one extend the loan expiry date?

The person best placed to deal with your concern is your solicitors who should calculate whether they corresponding with the lender, vendor’s representatives, selling agents or possibly all parties based on what has gone on in your house move as of today.

We are expecting a mortgage offer soon. The lender mentioned the loan came with free conveyancing. Does this mean I have to instruct their panel solicitor as I would much rather instruct a high street conveyancing solicitor in Whitworth?

You should check but the the probability is that appoint one of their panel solicitors where you accept the "fee-free" incentive. Speak to the bank and explore if they make available a cash alternative. Some banks have previously offered a £250 cashback as a further option in which case that money can go towards your preferred conveyancing solicitor near Whitworth.

A relative advised me that where I am purchasing in Whitworth I should ask my conveyancer to execute a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

This is a search is occasionally quoted for as part of the standard Whitworth conveyancing searches. It is a large document of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out significant information about Whitworth around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Whitworth Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information concerning Whitworth.

We yesterday discovered that one of the directors of the conveyancing practice undertaking the purchase conveyancing in Whitworth is an aunty of the seller. Is this acceptable?

On the basis that no conflict arises this should be fine. If you are needing mortgage finance then the mortgage company may have a say as many banks have specific instructions on this. For example for Barclays plc as of 20/12/2025, the requirements read as follows :