My husband and I are purchasing a 1 bedroom apartment in Ferryhill with a mortgage. We have a Ferryhill lawyer, however the mortgage company advise he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the lender panel firms or keep our Ferryhill conveyancing practitioner and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This feels very unfair; can we not insist that the mortgage company use our Ferryhill lawyer ?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your Ferryhill conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
We are only a couple days away from an exchange on a house in Ferryhill and my parents have transferred the 10% deposit to my property lawyer. I am now informed that as the deposit has been sent from someone other than me my property lawyer needs to make a notification to my bank. Apparently, in also acting for the lender he must advise them that the balance of the purchase price is coming from anyone other than me. I advised the bank concerning my parents' contribution when I applied for the mortgage, so is it really necessary for him to raise this?
The conveyancer is obliged to clarify with mortgage company to ensure that they understand that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. The solicitor can only disclose this to your lender if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
Finally the sale completed on my house in Ferryhill last August but my buyer keeps whats apping me to moan that their lawyer needs to hear from mine. What should have happened now that I have sold?
Post completion of your house sale your solicitor should deliver the transfer documentation and all of the paperwork to the purchaser's conveyancer. If applicable, your solicitor should also evidence that the mortgage has been paid off to the buyers lawyers. There is unlikely to be post completion procedures unique to conveyancing in Ferryhill.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Ferryhill. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 10/6/2025, the requirements read as follows :
I have just appointed agents to market my ground floor apartment in Ferryhill. Conveyancing has not commenced, but I have just received a half-yearly maintenance charge demand – what should I do?
It best that you discharge the maintenance contribution as normal as all rents and maintenance charges should be apportioned on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.
Leasehold Conveyancing in Ferryhill - Examples of Questions you should consider before buying
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What is the maintenance charge and ground rent on the flat? How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments? You should be aware that where the lease has no more than eighty years it will impact the value of the flat. Check with your lender that they are willing to to proceed given the lease term. A short lease means that you will probably need a lease extension at some point and you need to have some idea of what this will be. Remember, in most cases you will need to own the premises for a couple of years before you are entitled to extend the lease.
Do online conveyancing companies do everything a local Ferryhill solicitor does or must I use a solicitor for the final stages for my conveyancing in Ferryhill?
If you use an online conveyancer they will cover all the work your Ferryhill conveyancer would cover.