I am progressing with the sale of my ground floor flat in Godshill and the estate agent has just telephoned to say that the purchasers are switching conveyancer. The reason given is that the bank will only work with solicitors on their approved list. On what basis would a major mortgage company only work with certain solicitors rather the firm that they want to appoint to handle their conveyancing in Godshill ?
Mortgage companies have always had panels of law firms that can represent them, but in recent years big names such as HSBC, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have acted for them for many years.
Lenders blame a rise in fraud as the reason for the cull – criteria have been tightened as a smaller panel is easier to monitor. Banks tend not to disclose 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. Plenty of firms 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 purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Godshill. My lender is Accord Mortgages
Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 31/7/2025, the requirements read as follows :
I have been told that property searches are the number one cause of obstruction in Godshill conveyancing transactions. Is this right?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published determinations of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the top 10 causes of delays during the legal transfer of property. Searches are unlikely to feature in any delay in conveyancing in Godshill.
It has been five months following my purchase conveyancing in Godshill completed. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £150,000 when infact I paid £180,000. Why the discrepancy?
The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the residence from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.
I am looking to sell my property. My previous conveyancers has retired. I am in need of a recommendation of a conveyancing firm. I happen to live in Godshill if that affects matters.
Please use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Godshill. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with lender approved solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move goes with a minimum of fuss.
Last January I purchased a leasehold house in Godshill. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?
Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.
If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).
Leasehold Conveyancing in Godshill - Examples of Questions you should ask before Purchasing
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Is anyone aware of any major works in the planning that will increase the service charges? It is important to be aware if fixing the lift or some other major work is anticipated to be shared amongst the leaseholders and will dramatically increase the the service costs or necessitate a specific payment. Most Godshill leasehold properties will have a service charge for maintenance of the building levied by the management company. If you buy the flat you will have to meet this amount, usually quarterly accross the year. This could differ from two or three hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for large purpose-built buildings. In all probability there will be a ground rent for you to pay yearly, this is usually not a exorbitant figure, say around £25-£75 but you need to check it because occasionally it could be surprisingly expensive.