We are planning to purchase a 3 bedroom flat in Alton with a mortgage. We like our Alton solicitor, but the bank says she’s not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to use one of the bank panel conveyancing practices or continue with our Alton property lawyer as well as pay for one of their panel firms to represent them. We regard this is inequitable; can we not demand that the mortgage company use our Alton solicitor ?
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 Alton conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Me and my partner are about to complete buying a property in Alton but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have managed to agree compensation from the seller in the sum of £3k taking the form of a reduction in the price. I had intended this to be dealt with as part of a side agreement however Clydesdale will not agree to this. Should they have been involved?
Your conveyancing practitioner being on a Clydesdale conveyancing panel is required to disclose to Clydesdale of any changes to the sale price. If you were to refuse your conveyancer to report the price change to Clydesdale then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, Clydesdale and you would have to appoint a new conveyancing practitioner for your conveyancing in Alton.
A friend advised me that where I am purchasing in Alton I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
A search of this type is occasionally included in the estimate for your Alton conveyancing searches. It is not a small report of about 40 pages, listing and setting out significant information about Alton around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Alton Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Local Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data regarding Alton.
What does commercial conveyancing in Alton cover?
Non domestic conveyancing in Alton incorporates a wide array of advice, provided by qualified solicitors, relating to business property. By way of example, this area of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more commonly, the transfer of existing business tenancies or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial mortgages and the termination of leases.
We are 3 weeks into a residential purchase having been referred to a firm by the selling agent to execute conveyancing in Alton. I am not happy. Could you help me find new solicitors?
They would need to be very bad to suggest replacing them. Has your mortgage offer been sent? If so you need to inform them of the replacement solicitor and ensure the mortgage documents are re-sent. Your new conveyancer needs to be on the mortgage company approved list to avoid added fees and complications. So that should be your first question of the new solicitors. The search tool should assist you in finding a bank approved solicitor for your conveyancing in Alton