I am one month into the sale of my maisonette in Hale Barns and the estate agent has just called to say that the purchasers are swapping law firm. I am told that this is due to the fact that the mortgage company will only engage with solicitors on their conveyancing panel. Why would a major lender only engage with specific lawyers rather the firm that they want to choose to handle their conveyancing in Hale Barns ?

Lenders have always had an approved set of law firms they are willing to work with, but in recent years big names such as Santander, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have represented them for over 25 years.

Lenders point to the increase in fraud by way of justification for the cull – criteria have been stiffened as a smaller panel is easier to maintain. Banks tend not to disclose 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 do not even realise 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 buying a property and require a conveyancing solicitor in Hale Barns who is on the Barclays solicitor panel. Can you recommend a local 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 Barclays . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Hale Barns.

Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Hale Barns prior to retaining lawyers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. The surveyor has said that some banks may refuse to give a mortgage on such a home.

It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different instructions for example to Nationwide. If you call us we can investigate further with the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Hale Barns. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Hale Barns especially if they regularly deal with such properties in Hale Barns.

What is different about your site and other web based conveyancing brokers when it comes to conveyancing in Hale Barns?

At this site secure a conveyancing costs illustration via a Solicitor or Licensed Conveyancer that appreciates the issues of your conveyancing in Hale Barns. As opposed to estate agents and brokerage sites we do not operate commission arrangements with solicitors. A large number of agents and online brokers 'recommend' solicitors that pays the most per referral, not the best value conveyancing in Hale Barns

I am 14 days into a residential purchase having been directed to a firm by the local agent to carry out the conveyancing in Hale Barns. I am am very dissatisfied with the quality of service. Can you help me find new conveyancers?

A lawyer would have to be really bad to suggest replacing them. Has the loan offer been generated? In the event that it has you will need to make them aware of the new contact details and have the loan are re-sent. The solicitor ideally should be on the mortgage company panel to avoid escalating fees and complications. That should be your first question of the new conveyancers. Our search tool should help you find a bank approved solicitor for your home move in Hale Barns