I am selling my home in Eltham and the EA has just called to advise that the buyers are appointing a new conveyancer. I am told that this is due to the fact that the lender will only work with property lawyers on their conveyancing panel. On what basis would a big named lender only deal with specific law firms rather the firm that they want to choose for their conveyancing in Eltham ?
Banks have always had panels of law firms that can act for them, but in the past few years big names such as Lloyds Banking Group, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for more than 25 years.
Mortgage companies point to the increase in fraud as the reason for the pruning – criteria have been narrowed as a smaller panel is easier to maintain. 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. 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. The purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Eltham. My lender is The Mortgage Works
The Mortgage Works have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 16/4/2026, the requirements read as follows :
Does a directory service exist listing Principality panel conveyancers in Eltham on the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Website?
No. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association sites. A small selection of mortgage companies make their panel listings open the public over the internet. Where you are in need of a Eltham solicitor on the Principality please use our tool.
How can we tell if a Eltham conveyancing solicitor on the TSB panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in Eltham getting recommendations is a sensible starting point. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one advertising the lowest fees. We would always advise that you speak with the solicitor carrying out your transaction.
I was told two weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by Aldermore. Is it usual for Aldermore to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Eltham is approved on their conveyancing panel? Aldermore have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their PI Insurance.
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Aldermore to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Aldermore conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
We are intent on selling our property in Eltham and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a risk of it being built on contaminated land. Any local lawyer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the buyers used a factory type conveyancing firm rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Eltham. We have lived in Eltham for many years we know that this is a non issue. Do we get in touch with our local Authority to seek confirmation that there is no issue.
It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm already. Are they able to advise? You must check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same illness)
Just had an offer accepted on a new build flat in Eltham. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.
Set out below is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Eltham
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Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. Please supply a car parking plan. Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Eltham is where the house is located. What do you suggest?
Flying freeholds in Eltham are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Eltham you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Eltham may determine 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.