Me and my partner are hoping to purchase a 3 bedroom apartment in Crook with a mortgage. We have a Crook conveyancer, however the mortgage company says she’s not on their "panel". It seems we have little option but to use one of the mortgage company panel firms or keep our Crook property lawyer and pay for one of their panel firms to act for them. This seems very unfair; can we not demand that the bank use our Crook conveyancer ?
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 Crook conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Do all mortgage companies provide you with an approved list of Crook conveyancing solicitors? How do you know who is on the Barclays conveyancing panel?
Crook conveyancing firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Barclays conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Barclays directly.
My mortgage company has suggested a law firm on their panel based in Crook but I would rather use a conveyancing lawyer in Crook or nearer to where I live. Can you help?
Far from all Crook conveyancing practices are listed all lender’s conveyancing panel. Do make the most of the above search tool to find a Crook conveyancing solicitor on the on the bank panel.
Forgive me if this question is silly but I am wet behind the ears as FTB of a two bedroom flat in Crook. Do I receive the keys to the property on completion from my solicitor? If this is the case, I will instruct a local conveyancing solicitor in Crook?
There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will arrange to send the purchase money to the vendor’s conveyancers, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you will be invited to collect the keys from the property Agents and move into your new home. Usually this occurs early afternoon.
My father advised me that in purchasing a property in Crook there could be a number of restrictions limiting what one can do in terms of external alterations to the property. Is this right?
We are aware of anumerous of properties in Crook which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to carry out external changes. Part of the conveyancing in Crook should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.
I've read lots of house buying guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Crook solicitor - who is on the Barclays conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Barclays will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Barclays will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Crook surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
The deeds to our house are lost. The lawyers who dealt with the conveyancing in Crook 10 years ago have long since closed. What do I do?
Assuming you have a registered title the details of your ownership will be documented by HMLR under a Title Number. It is possible to execute a search at the Land Registry, find your property and obtain current copies of the Registered Entries for a small fee. Where the title is Leasehold then the Land Registry will also normally hold a file copy of the Registered Lease and again, a copy can be retrieved for twenty pounds.