I am six weeks into the sale of my home in Darley Abbey and the EA has just called to warn that the buyers are switching solicitor. I am told that this is due to the fact that the bank will only engage with property lawyers on their approved list. On what basis would a big named mortgage company only work with certain lawyers rather the firm that they want to appoint for their conveyancing in Darley Abbey ?
Lenders have always had panels of law firms they are willing to work with, but in recent years big names such as Santander, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for decades.
Mortgage companies blame a rise in fraud as the reason for the pruning – criteria have been tightened 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 hearing daily from firms 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 sway in the decision.
I am under pressure from the executor of a property in Darley Abbey to sign contracts within four weeks. What can I do to expedite the legal process?
In the event that the seller is applying time constraints to sign contracts we would recommend that your lawyer is familiar with the area as they will benefit local contacts and know-how. It is possible that they would have transacted previousproperties in the same road. Therefore consider using a Darley Abbey conveyancing solicitor. Second, ensure that the lawyer is on the on the approved list for your mortgage company. It is estimated that nearly one in five of Darley Abbey conveyancing deals are held up or derailed after finding out that a buyer’s conveyancer was not on their mortgage lender’s member panel. In many cases this discovery resulted in the transaction being frustrated by almost three weeks. It is claimed that this issue impacts in the region of 100,000 home moves every year. Almost all Darley Abbey conveyancing practices can not represent certain lenders so do check as early as possible.
What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Darley Abbey? Is this really necessary?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering regulations require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to check the identification documents of the potential client they are dealing with prior to agreeing to accepting their conveyancing retainer. The Terms and Conditions that you need to sign will no doubt stipulate this. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with the CML Lenders Handbook requirements last updated on 1st December 2014. Should you refuse to hand over ID verification documents, your lawyer would not be able to accept instructions from you.
About to place a bid on a leasehold property in Darley Abbey. The estate agents tell me that it is standard for flats in Darley Abbey to have less than 75 years remaining. I am obtaining a mortgage with Platform. Is this going to be acceptable if the lease has Seventy One years to go.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are getting 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 31/12/2025 the requirements read as follows :
My relative suggested that if I am purchasing in Darley Abbey I should ask my conveyancer to execute a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?
This is a search is sometimes quoted for as part of the standard Darley Abbey conveyancing searches. It is a large report of about 40 pages, listing and detailing significant information about Darley Abbey around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Darley Abbey Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Darley Abbey Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data regarding Darley Abbey.
The deeds to our property can not be found. The lawyers who did the conveyancing in Darley Abbey 4 years ago no longer exist. What do I do?
In today’s world there are copies made of almost everything, and your conveyancer will be aware exactly where to look for all the suitable paperwork so you can buy or sell your property without any difficulty. Where duplicates can’t be located, your conveyancer may be able to put in place insurance or indemnities against future claims on your premises.