Me and my partner are acquiring a maisonette in Felixstowe. My Solicitor has never been on on the mortgage company conveyancing list. Am I still permitted to appoint my Felixstowe conveyancing solicitor notwithstanding that they are excluded from the bank approved list?
Various options include
- Complete the deal with your preferred Felixstowe lawyer but your mortgage company will no doubt appoint a property lawyer on their conveyancing panel. The net result is additional fees together with potential delay.
- Choose a fresh conveyancing practitioner to act in the purchase, making sure they are on the lender conveyancing panel.
- Convince your property lawyer to seek to join the mortgage company panel
I have just over seventy years remaining on my lease and require a lease extension for my flat in Felixstowe. Conveyancing solicitors on the Accord Mortgages panel can deal with such extensions correct?
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. Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 17/9/2025 the requirements read as follows :
Are all Felixstowe Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Coventry BS conveyancing list of approved solicitors?
Some major lenders now make use of CQS as the starting point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitor practices wishing to remain on their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.
We are getting a further advance on our home loan from Principality as we want to carry out alterations to our property in Felixstowe. Are we obliged to select a bricks and mortar Felixstowe solicitor on the Principality conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?
Principality do not ordinarily instruct firms on their approved list of lawyers to handle such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Principality panel.
Having read lots of house buying guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Felixstowe solicitor - who is on the Co-operative conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Co-operative will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Co-operative will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your solicitor will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Felixstowe postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Co-operative, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Felixstowe.
How does conveyancing in Felixstowe differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Felixstowe approach us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because new home sellers in Felixstowe usually purchase 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Felixstowe or who has acted in the same development.
Are there any apps to assist me to search for a Felixstowe law firm on the The Royal Bank of Scotland conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel upto 25kilometers to meet the conveyancer.
You can use the facility on this website. Please pick a bank and your location and you will see a number of Felixstowe conveyancing lawyers locally. We have listed some Felixstowe conveyancing firms towards the end of this page and you can contact them to check whether they are on the The Royal Bank of Scotland panel
My brother has suggested that I appoint his conveyancing solicitors in Felixstowe. Should I use them?
Much as we are happy to recommend a Felixstowe conveyancing lawyer the best way to find a conveyancing solicitor is to seek recommendations from friends or relatives who have actually used the conveyancer you're contemplating using.