My husband and I are only a couple days away from an exchange on a house in Coventry and my mum and dad have sent the ten percent deposit to my conveyancer. I am now told that as the deposit has been sent from someone other than me my conveyancing practitioner needs to disclose this to my lender. Apparently, in also acting for the lender he must advise them that the balance of the purchase price is not just from me. I advised the bank about my parents' contribution when I applied for the home loan, so is it really appropriate for him to raise this?

The conveyancer is legally required to check with the bank to make sure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own resources. Your solicitor can only disclose this to your mortgage company if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.

We are expecting a mortgage offer soon. The bank mentioned the home loan came with free conveyancing. Is the implication that I have to appoint their panel lawyer as I would prefer to appoint a Coventry based conveyancing firm?

Do check but the chances are that allocate you one of their panel lawyers if you accept the "fee-free" incentive. Speak to the lender to ask if they make available a cash alternative. Some banks have previously offered a £250 cashback as a further option in which case you could put that amount towards your preferred conveyancing solicitor near Coventry.

When it comes to mortgage companies such as Kent Reliance, do Coventry conveyancers face an annual charge to be on the list of approved solicitors?

We are unaware of any lender fees to be on their panel, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.

Is there a list of Principality panel solicitors in Coventry on the Council of Mortgage Lender’s Website?

Unfortunately not yet. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association sites. A small selection of lending institutions make their panel listings viewable online. Where you are looking for a Coventry conveyancing practitioner on the Principality please make the most of our tool.

Completion of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Coventry. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How does one go about formally complaining?

All lenders have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Department at head office. We understand that complaints to a lender are resolved very quickly. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.

We are 3 weeks into a leasehold purchase having been directed to a firm by the local agent to carry out the conveyancing in Coventry. We are not happy. Could you you assist me in finding new solicitors?

They would need to be very bad in order to consider diss instructing them. Has your mortgage offer been issued? If so you will need to inform them of the new solicitor and have the loan are issued to the new lawyers. Your conveyancer should be on the mortgage company panel to avoid escalating costs and frustration. That should be your starting point. Our find a solicitor tool should help you find a bank approved conveyancer for your home move in Coventry

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my 2 bed flat in Coventry. Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon, but I have recently had a yearly maintenance charge invoice – Do I pay up?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should pay the maintenance contribution as you normally would as all rents and service invoices should be apportioned on completion, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

I purchased a leasehold flat in Coventry, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Corresponding flats in Coventry with a long lease are worth £211,000. The ground rent is £45 per annum. The lease runs out on 21st October 2091

With just 67 years remaining on your lease the likely cost is going to range between £10,500 and £12,000 plus costs.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action placing reliance on this information without first getting professional advice.