I am selling my flat in Leconfield and the EA has just text me to say that the purchasers are switching property lawyer. I am told that this is due to the fact that the lender will only work with property lawyers on their conveyancing panel. Why would a leading mortgage company only engage with certain solicitors rather the firm that they want to appoint for their conveyancing in Leconfield ?
Mortgage companies have always had an approved set of law firms that can represent them, but in the past few years big names such as Lloyds Banking Group, have considered and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have acted for them for more than 25 years.
Lending institutions point to the increase in fraud as the reason for the reduction – criteria have been tightened as a smaller panel is easier to oversee. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says 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. Your purchasers are not going to have any impact on this.
I am due to exchange on the purchase of a house in Leconfield but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have managed to agree recompense from the current proprietors of £2k taking the form of a adjustment in the price. This was going to be addressed as part of a side agreement but Santander are not allowing this. Why were they involved?
Any property lawyer that is on a Santander conveyancing panel is obliged to advise Santander of any variations to the sale price. If you were to refuse your solicitor to report the reduction to Santander then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, Santander and you would have to appoint a new conveyancer for your conveyancing in Leconfield.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Leconfield. My lender is Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 20/6/2026, the requirements read as follows :
How does conveyancing in Leconfield differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Leconfield come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is finished. This is because builders in Leconfield typically purchase the land, 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 property lawyers 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 used to new build conveyancing in Leconfield or who has acted in the same development.
In my capacity as executor for the will of my father I am disposing of a residence in Neath but live in Leconfield. My solicitor (approximately 250 kilometers awayrequires that I execute a statutory declaration prior to completion. Can you recommend a conveyancing lawyer in Leconfield to attest and place their company stamp on the document?
Technically speaking you are unlikely to be required to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily any notary public or solicitor will do regardless of whether they are located in Leconfield
Planning to exchange soon on a ground floor flat in Leconfield. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they report fully next week. What should I be looking out for?
The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Leconfield should include some of the following:
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specifics of the parties to the lease, e.g. these could be the leaseholder, superior lessor, landlord How long the lease is. You should be advised as what happens when the lease ends, and informed of the importance of not letting the lease term falling below eighty years Are pets allowed in the flat? You would want to be sent a copy of the lease Responsibility to repair and maintain the block. It is essential that you know who is responsible the repair and maintenance of all parts of the block and communal areas
Leasehold Conveyancing in Leconfield - A selection of Queries Prior to buying
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Who manages the block? Where a Leconfield lease has less than 80 years it will have adverse implications on the marketability of the property. Check with your lender that they are content with residual term of the lease. A short lease means that you will probably need a lease extension at some point and it is worth finding out how much this would cost. Remember, in most cases you will need to own the premises for a couple of years before you are eligible to extend the lease. Is anyone aware of any major works on the horizon that could increase the maintenance charges?