I am not in a position to travel far from Portland. Is there a reason why all Portland solicitors aren't included on all bank panels?
Lenders ordinarily restrict either the nature or volume of conveyancing solicitors on their approved list of lawyers. A common example of such restriction(s) being that a organisation is required to have at least two partners. In addition to restricting the type of firm, some lenders decided to restrict the size of their panel they use to represent them. It is worth noting that building societies have no accountability for the accuracy of service supplied by any Portland solicitor on their approved list. Mortgage fraud was a key driver in the reduction of conveyancing panels in the last decade even though there are opposing assessments about whether solicitors sat at the center of that fraud. Data via HMLR reveal that thousands of conveyancing organisations only transact one or two conveyances annually. Those advocating conveyancing panel pruning ask why law firms deserve any entitlement to remain on a lender panel when it is evident that property law is not their speciality?
As a first time buyer what is the most important advice you can give me concerning purchase conveyancing in Portland?
Not many law firms shout this from the rooftops but conveyancing in Portland and elsewhere in Dorset is often a confrontational experience. In other words, when it comes to conveyancing there is lots of opportunity for confrontation between you and others involved in the legal transfer of property. For example, the seller, selling agent and sometimes the bank. Selecting a lawyer for your conveyancing in Portland should not be taken lightly as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONE person in the legal process whose role it is to look after your best interests and to keep you safe.
We are witnessing a definite creep of a "blame" culture- someone must be blamed for the process being so protracted. We recommend that you should always trust your lawyer ahead of the other parties when it comes to the legal assignment of property.
Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Portland. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 21/4/2025, the requirements read as follows :
It has been four months since my purchase conveyancing in Portland concluded. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £170,000. 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.
How does conveyancing in Portland differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Portland come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is ready to move into. This is because house builders in Portland tend to 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 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 Portland or who has acted in the same development.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in last month in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Portland is the location of the property. Can you offer any opinion?
Flying freeholds in Portland are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Portland you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Portland may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.