I am hoping to receive a offer of a home loan from Nat West. My intention is to retain the legal services of a Licensed Conveyancer in Westminster. Does the Nat West Solicitor panel include conveyancers regulated by the CLC?
The Nat West conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders, associated to the CML or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the CLC.
I am considering applying for a UBS mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) in Westminster with 70% loan to value. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for UBS ?
There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor, but UBS will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is much more potential for delays and confusion with an additional lawyer added to the mix, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.
My wife and I are buying a flat in Westminster. I might seem paranoid but how we can trust a solicitor? At some point we have to put money into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our monies?
Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.
My wife and I purchasing a terrace house in Westminster. We would like to convert the garage to a playroom at the property.Will the conveyancing process involve checks to ascertain if these works were previously refused?
Your conveyancer will review the registered title as conveyancing in Westminster will sometimes identify restrictions in the title deeds which prevent categories of changes or require the consent of a 3rd party. Many extensions require local authority planning permissions and approval in compliance with building regulations. Certain areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or impact extensions. It would be prudent to check these issues with a surveyor before you commit yourself to a purchase.
My offer was accepted on a house in Westminster on 17/2/2026, valuation was booked 2 days later, all came back fine. Property lawyer retained, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Nottingham and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Nottingham conveyancing panel. Are Nottingham entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?
A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Nottingham to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Nottingham conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Westminster prior to instructing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. Our surveyor advised that some mortgage companies may not grant a loan on such a house.
It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different requirements from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can look into this further with the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Westminster. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Westminster to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.
My cousin has suggested that I use his lawyers for conveyancing in Westminster. Should I use them?
Much as we are happy to recommend a Westminster conveyancing lawyer the best way to choose a conveyancing lawyer is to have guidance from friends or relatives who have previously instructed the firm you're considering.
I today plan to offer on a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently discovered that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a house with a leasehold title in Westminster. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been appointed. Will they explain the issues?
Most houses in Westminster are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Westminster so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Westminster conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example obtaining the landlord’spermission to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your lawyer should appraise you on the various issues.
I am the leaseholder of a ground-floor 1960’s flat in Westminster. Given that I can not reach agreement with the landlord, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal make a decision on the sum due for a lease extension?
Where there is a absentee freeholder or where there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant legislation it is possible to make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to decide the price.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Westminster residence is Flats 12A & 19, Evelyn Mansions Carlisle Place in June 2009. The Tribunal held that the price to be paid for the new lease of Flat 12A is £168,824, For the other flat the price was set at £169,110 This case was in relation to 2 flats. The unexpired lease term was 56 years.