I can't travel far from Staffordshire. What is the rationale as to why all Staffordshire conveyancing practitioners are not on all lender panels?
Even though it may seem unfair for mortgage companies to limit who can represent them, from the public’s or solicitor’s perspective, the flip side is that lenders are becoming ever more anxious and consider it essential to shield themselves against mortgage fraud. As a consequence of this concern banks have consolidated their conveyancing panel to a size that they are happy to control.
We have rather assertive vendors who has recommended a lock out contract with a deposit of 5k. Are such agreements sensible?
Lock out agreements are contracts binding a property vendor and prospective acquirer granting the buyer exclusive rights to purchase the property within an agreed time frame. For all intents and purposes, a lock out is a document stating that you should be issued with a contract at a later time which is the contract for the actual sale. It is generally utilised for buyer assurance though in many situations, the vendor may enjoy an upside from such agreements as well. There are many pros and cons to having an agreement but you need to check with your conveyancer but beware that it may result in incurring extra in conveyancing charges. In light of this these contracts are not popular in relation to conveyancing in Staffordshire.
Can your site be used to locate a Conveyancing solicitor in Staffordshire even where I’m not purchasing or selling a house, for instance if I wish to acquire an office in Staffordshire with a loan from Nationwide Building Society?
Our search tool is predominantly there to locate domestic conveyancing solicitors in Staffordshire but we have set out at the bottom of this page a selection of Staffordshire commercial conveyancing firms. You will need to enquire with the firm directly to establish if they are also authorised to represent Nationwide Building Society
About to place a bid on a leasehold apartment in Staffordshire. The property agents advise that it is standard for flats in Staffordshire to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am taking out a loan with Chelsea Building Society. Is this going to be a problem if the lease has 72 years unexpired.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 17/12/2025 the requirements read as follows :
We previously chose conveyancing lawyers located in Staffordshire on the HSBC solicitor panel. They are now charging me a separate charge for dealing with the HSBC mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee specified by HSBC?
Provided it is contained in their Terms of Engagement or Quote then yes your conveyancing practitioner may charge a fee for this. The charge is not set by HSBC but by your Staffordshire conveyancer. Plenty of firms on the HSBC panel will levy ’dealing with mortgage’ fee and others do not.
We are getting a further advance on our mortgage from Bank of Ireland as we intend to conduct alterations to our property in Staffordshire. Are we obliged to choose a high street Staffordshire solicitor on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?
Bank of Ireland do not ordinarily require firms on their approved list of lawyers to deal with the formalities. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Bank of Ireland list.
Principality have agreed my home loan in principle, my offer on a property in Staffordshire has been agreed to, what are the next steps?
Your property agent will wish to know who your solicitors are (be sure the conveyancers are on the bank’s panel). Contact Principality or the financial adviser and complete any relevant paperwork. Principality will sellect a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or seller to schedule an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about a fortnight to get a mortgage offer. Principality will issue the offer to you and your property lawyers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Staffordshire.
Just had an offer accepted on a new build flat in Staffordshire. Conveyancing is necessary evil 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 conveyancing.
Here are examples of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Staffordshire
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The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Please supply a car parking plan. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore.