I am one month into the sale of my ground floor flat in St Brides Major and the estate agent has just text me to advise that the buyers are switching solicitor. I am told that this is due to the fact that the bank will only work with property lawyers on their conveyancing panel. On what basis would a major mortgage company only work with specific law firms rather the firm that they want to choose to handle their conveyancing in St Brides Major ?
Mortgage companies have always had panels of law firms that can act for them, but in the last few years big names such as Nationwide, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have acted for them for many years.
Lending institutions point to the increase in fraud by way of justification for the cull – criteria have been narrowed as a smaller panel is easier to monitor. Banks tend not to reveal 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. The buyers are not going to have any impact on this.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in St Brides Major. My lender is Platform
Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 20/12/2025, the requirements read as follows :
Do I select a Licenced Conveyancer or Solicitor for conveyancing in St Brides Major?
There are two types of lawyers who can do conveyancing in St Brides Major namely licenced conveyancers or solicitors. The two can handle conveyancing services that you need to complete the sale or purchase of property. They are both duty bound to carry out St Brides Major conveyancing on similar standards and guidelines so you can be sure that your conveyancing will be properly conducted and that the requirements and procedures should be appropriately taken.
I am the single beneficiary of my late father’s will with all property in now in my sole name, including the my former home in St Brides Major. The St Brides Major property was put into my name in November. I now wish to sell up. I understand that there is a Mortgage Lenders six month 'rule', meaning my property ownership could be considered the same way as though I had purchased the property in November. Is the property unsalable for six months?
The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ handbook obliges conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." By the strict wording you may be affected by that. Some mortgage companies would take a pragmatic view as this requirement principally exists to capture the purchase and immediately sell or the wholesaling and assigning of properties.
Coventry BS have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on a house in St Brides Major has been agreed to, what happens next?
The estate agent will want to be informed of your conveyancer's details (make sure the lawyers are on the lender’s panel). Call up Coventry BS or the broker and complete any appropriate forms. Coventry BS will sellect a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about ten days for the mortgage offer to be issued. Coventry BS will send the offer to you and your property lawyers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in St Brides Major.
How does conveyancing in St Brides Major differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in St Brides Major approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is ready to move into. This is because builders in St Brides Major usually acquire the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in St Brides Major or who has acted in the same development.
What is different about your site and alternative web based conveyancing brokers when it comes to conveyancing in St Brides Major?
At this site receive a conveyancing costs illustration from a Solicitor or Licensed Conveyancer that has a full understanding of the nuances for your conveyancing in St Brides Major. Unlike many estate agents and many comparison sites we are not in the business of charging firms a fee if you choose them for your property ownership legalities in St Brides Major
I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor for freehold conveyancing in St Brides Major. I have chance upon a site which appears to be the ideal solution If there is a chance to get all formalities done via email that would be preferable. Do I need to be wary? What are the potential pitfalls?
As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?