I am nearing exchange of contracts for my home in Barnsley and the estate agent has just e-mailed to advise that the purchasers are changing their law firm. I am told that this is due to the fact that the lender will only work with property lawyers on their conveyancing panel. On what basis would a big named mortgage company only work with certain solicitors rather the firm that they want to choose to handle their conveyancing in Barnsley ?
Mortgage companies have always had panels of law firms they are content to work with, but in recent years big names such as HSBC, have considered and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have represented them for more than 25 years.
Banks point to the increase in fraud by way of justification for the reduction – criteria have been narrowed as a smaller panel is easier to oversee. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels. Plenty of firms are unaware that they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. The buyers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
A relative suggested that if I am purchasing in Barnsley 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 Barnsley conveyancing searches. It is a large report of more than thirty pages, listing and detailing significant information about Barnsley around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Barnsley Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime statistics, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information about Barnsley.
Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my property can not be found. The conveyancers who conducted the conveyancing in Barnsley 5 years ago have long since closed. Will I be able to sell the house?
In today’s world there are copies made of almost everything, and your conveyancer will know exactly where to locate all the appropriate paperwork so you can purchase or dispose of your house without a hitch. If copies are not available, your conveyancer can put in place insurance or indemnities protecting you against possible claims on the property.
My step-father has urged me to appoint his conveyancing solicitors in Barnsley. Should I use them?
There are no two ways about it the ideal way to find a conveyancing solicitor is to seek feedback from friends or relatives who have used the solicitor you're contemplating using.
How do I find a Barnsley conveyancing solicitor on the lender conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to twentykilometers to meet the conveyancer.
Feel free to make use of the find a conveyancing panel search on this page. Please choose the lender and your location, in this case Barnsley and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest Barnsley. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the lender solicitor panel.