My wife and I are purchasing a 1 bedroom apartment in Petworth with a mortgage. We like our Petworth lawyer, however the lender says she’s not on their "panel". It appears that we have little option but to use one of the lender panel conveyancing practices or keep our Petworth conveyancer and pay for one of their panel firms to represent them. We regard this is inequitable; can we not insist that the bank use our Petworth conveyancing practitioner ?
Unfortunately,no. Your mortgage offer 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. Another option that might be available is for your Petworth conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Our Petworth conveyancer has uncovered a discrepancy when comparing the surveyor’s assumptions in the home valuation survey and what is in the conveyancing documents. My solicitor informs me that he is obliged to ensure that the bank is OK with this discrepancy and is still content to lend. Is my conveyancer’s course or action right?
Your property lawyer must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for both parties.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Petworth. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 17/6/2025, the requirements read as follows :
Should my lawyer be raising enquiries concerning flooding as part of the conveyancing in Petworth.
Flooding is a growing risk for solicitors carrying out conveyancing in Petworth. There are those who buy a property in Petworth, completely expectant that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, aside from the physical damage, if a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, adequate insurance cover, or dispose of the property. Steps can be carried out as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the buyer.
Conveyancers are not qualified to give advice on flood risk, however there are a various checks that can be undertaken by the purchaser or on a buyer’s behalf which should figure out the risks in Petworth. The standard property information forms sent to a purchaser’s solicitor (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) incorporates a usual inquiry of the owner to discover whether the premises has historically flooded. In the event that the premises has been flooded in past and is not revealed by the seller, then a purchaser may bring a compensation claim resulting from an misleading answer. A buyer’s lawyers should also order an environmental search. This should disclose whether there is a recorded flood risk. If so, additional inquiries will need to be conducted.
The deeds to my home are lost. The solicitors who conducted the conveyancing in Petworth 4 years ago are no longer around. What are my options?
Nowadays there are copies made of almost everything, and your solicitor will be aware precisely where to locate all the suitable documentation so you can purchase or dispose of your house without any difficulty. If duplicates are not available, your lawyer can arrange cover in the form of insurance or indemnities against future claims on the property.
How does conveyancing in Petworth differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Petworth approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is completed. This is because builders in Petworth usually purchase the site, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Petworth or who has acted in the same development.