I am not in a position to travel far from Houghton Regis. Is there a reason why all Houghton Regis conveyancing practitioners aren't included on all lender panels?
As inequitable as it may seem for lenders to restrict who can act for them, from the public’s or conveyancer’s point of view, the flip side is that mortgage companies are increasingly anxious and consider it crucial to shield themselves from mortgage fraud. As a consequence of this concern mortgage companies are limiting their panel of approved conveyancing lawyers to a size that they are happy to control.
I have an AIP. The bank mentioned the loan came with free conveyancing. Is the implication that I have to appoint their panel lawyer as I would much rather use a high street conveyancing solicitor in Houghton Regis?
You should check but the chances are that appoint one of their panel conveyancers should you take up the "fee-free" incentive. Call the bank to ask if they allow a monetary alternative. It is not unheard for a lender to give a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case that money can go towards the cost for your conveyancing solicitor in Houghton Regis.
I used Arc property Solicitors several years past for my conveyancing in Houghton Regis. Now, I need my documents but the law firm has closed. What do I do?
You should call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Houghton Regis of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
Over the last few months I have been searching for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and found one near me in Houghton Regis I like with a park and station in the vicinity, however it only has 52 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Houghton Regis for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a short lease?
Should you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be an issue. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you may ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer about this matter.
I am four weeks into a residential purchase having been directed to a firm by the high street agent to perform conveyancing in Houghton Regis. I am am very dissatisfied with the level of service. Can you you assist me in finding new solicitors?
They would need to be very bad to suggest changing them. Has your loan offer been issued? In the event that it has you must inform them of the new contact details and have the mortgage documents are re-sent. Your new conveyancer needs to be on the banks panel to avoid escalating charges and frustration. So that should be your first question of the new conveyancers. Our search tool can assist you in finding a lender approved solicitor for your home move in Houghton Regis
My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Houghton Regis. I need to find out if they are listed on the bank's approved list of lawyers. Can you help?
One option is to call the lawyer to check if they are on the lender's approved list. If that does not help get in touch with us and we can investigate and revert. Should the firm not be on the conveyancing panel we can certainly arrange a specialist conveyancing solicitor in Houghton Regis on the panel for your lender.