We are buying a 3 bedroom flat in Shaw with a mortgage. We wish to retain our Shaw solicitor, however the lender says she’s not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct one of the mortgage company panel firms or keep our Shaw conveyancing practitioner and pay for one of their panel ones to act for them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you 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. Another option that might be available is for your Shaw conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
I am assisting my mother sell her house in Shaw. Does the conveyancer order the energy assessment or it is for the seller to coordinate?
Following the demise of Home Packs, energy assessments was kept a required component of selling a house. An energy performance certificate must be commissioned in advance of the property being placed on the market. It is not something that law firms ordinarily arrange. Where you are using a Shaw conveyancing lawyer they may be able to arrange EPC’s given their relationships with reputable local assessors
I recently had an offer agreed on an apartment in Shaw. My mortgage broker recommended their conveyancers. I paid an upfront payment of £175. Not long after, the conveyancer called me embarrassingly acknowledging that they were not on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?
You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the Coventry BS panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.
Leeds Building Society have agreed my home loan in principle, my offer on a house in Shaw has been agreed to, what happens next?
Your property agent will want to be informed of your property lawyer's details (ensure that the property lawyers are on the lender’s panel). Telephone Leeds Building Society or your financial adviser and finish off any relevant forms. Leeds Building Society will appoint a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or vendor to schedule a time for the valuation to occur. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes about a fortnight to receive the mortgage offer. Leeds Building Society will issue the offer to you and your conveyancers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Shaw.
The deeds to my property can not be found. The conveyancers who handled the conveyancing in Shaw 5 years ago are no longer around. What are my options?
These day there are copies made of almost everything, and your conveyancer should be aware exactly where to find all the appropriate documentation so you may buy or sell your house without any difficulty. If duplicates can’t be found, your conveyancer may be able to arrange cover in the form of insurance or indemnities against possible claims on your premises.
Just had an offer accepted on a new build flat in Shaw. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.
Set out below are examples of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Shaw
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Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose? Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier?
I have been recommended by a number of property agents in Shaw to find a solicitor on your site. Is there a financial inducement for Estate Agents to promote your services over a competitor’s?
We refuse to make any commission for sending work in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission as a client could think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.
We yesterday discovered that one of the directors of the firm handling the purchase conveyancing in Shaw is an aunty of the owners that we are purchasing from. Is this allowed?
As long as there is no conflict of interest this is permitted. Where you are requiring a mortgage then the bank may have a say as many lenders have specific requirements concerning this. For example for Nationwide Building Society as of 21/7/2025, the requirements read as follows :