We are buying a end of terrace house in Bermondsey. We would like to carry out a loft conversion at the house.Will the conveyancing process involve checks to ascertain if these works are permitted?

Your conveyancer should review the registered title as conveyancing in Bermondsey can occasionally reveal restrictions in the title documents which restrict certain alterations or need the permission of a 3rd party. Some works require local authority planning permissions and approval in accordance building regulations. Certain areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. It would be sensible to check these issues with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.

After weeks of negotiation I have agreed a price on a house in Bermondsey. My mortgage broker suggested a property lawyer. I paid an upfront payment of £200. A couple of days later, the solicitor contacted me sheepishly admitting that they were not on the Barclays 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 Barclays 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.

I had an offer accepted on a property in Bermondsey on 3/12/2024, valuation was booked five days later, received a clean bill of health. Conveyancer instructed, so the only thing outstanding was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Nationwide and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Nationwide conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?

A lender would not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Nationwide to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Nationwide conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

It has been 2 months following my purchase conveyancing in Bermondsey took place. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £150,000 when infact I paid £170,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the residence from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

I am buying a new build apartment in Bermondsey. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

Here is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Bermondsey

The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company?

I was advised by numerous property agents in Bermondsey to find a conveyancer on your site. What’s the financial upside for Estate Agents to offer your services rather than a competitor’s?

We don’t give any financial incentive for sending work our way. We found it would be just too difficult a fee because home movers will think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

I am buying a house and require a conveyancing solicitor in Bermondsey who is on the bank solicitor panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a Bermondsey conveyancing firm?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for the bank who conduct conveyancing in Bermondsey. We dont recommend any particular solicitor.