We are buying a 1 bedroom flat in North London with a mortgage. We have a North London lawyer, but the lender advise he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the mortgage company panel solicitors or continue with our North London conveyancer as well as pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?
No, not really. Your mortgage offer is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’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 North London conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
It is 10 years ago since I acquired my house in North London. Conveyancing lawyers have just been retained on the sale but I can't track down my title documents. Is this a major issue?
Don’t worry too much. Firstly there is a possibility that the deeds will be retained by the lender or they may stored with the lawyers who oversaw the purchase. Secondly in all probability the title will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing solicitors obtaining up to date copy of the land registers. The vast majority of conveyancing in North London involves registered property but in the rare situation where your home is not registered it is more tricky but is resolvable.
What can a local search reveal regarding the property we're buying in North London?
North London conveyancing often starts with the ordering local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search company such as Searchflow The local search is essential in every North London conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any unpleasant surprises after you move into your property. The search should provide data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the property (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen subject areas.
I have justbeen informed that Action Conveyancing have closed. They conducted my conveyancing in North London for a purchase of a leasehold flat 18 months ago. How can I be sure that the property is in my name in the name of the previous owner?
The easiest method to check if the property is registered to you, you can make a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of North London conveyancing specialists.
I am looking into buying my first house which is in North London and I am already nervous. I couldn't find anything specific about North London. Conveyancing will be needed in due course but do you know about the North London area? or perhaps some other tips you can share?
Rather than looking online forget looking online you should go and have a look at North London. In the meantime here are some basic statistics that we found
Having used your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the bank conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the bank approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the bank conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the mortgage company solicitor panel.