I am nearing exchange of contracts for my apartment in Castle Donington and the estate agent has just e-mailed to say that the purchasers are swapping solicitor. The excuse is that the mortgage company will only work with property lawyers on their conveyancing panel. On what basis would a major mortgage company only deal with specific solicitors rather the firm that they want to select to handle their conveyancing in Castle Donington ?

UK lenders have always had panels of law firms they are willing to work with, but in recent years big names such as HSBC, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have acted for them for decades.

Mortgage companies attribute this action to a rise in fraud by way of justification for the pruning – criteria have been stiffened 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 claims that 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 purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.

We are looking to buy a property and need a conveyancing solicitor in Castle Donington who is on the Nationwide conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a local conveyancing firm?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Nationwide . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Castle Donington.

four months have gone by following my purchase conveyancing in Castle Donington took place. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £200,000 when infact I paid £180,000. 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 property 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 need to retain a conveyancing solicitor for my conveyancing in Castle Donington. I've chance upon a web site which looks to be the perfect answer If there is a chance to get all this stuff completed via web that would be preferable. Do I need to be concerned? What should out be looking out for?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

I've found a house that seems to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have just been informed that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns purchasing a leasehold house in Castle Donington. Conveyancing solicitors have are soon to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Castle Donington are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Castle Donington so you should seriously consider looking for a Castle Donington conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions such as requiring the landlord’spermission to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the property is located on an estate. Your conveyancer should appraise you on the various issues.