Unfortunately I am unable to travel far from Sawston. Is there a reason why all Sawston solicitors are not on all bank panels?

Pre- 2008 most mortgage companies had an approach to risk which differs from the current day. The Financial Services Authority in 2010 instigated a thematic review into mortgage fraud which concluded: know the conveyancers on your panel. Accordingly, lenders have since looked to extract more data from law firms regarding their operations and the individuals employed by them and set certain criteria such as completing a minimum amount of transactions. Thousands of firms have found themselves removed from lender panels even though they had an exemplary disciplinary record, no complaints and no claims and didn't just 'dabble' in conveyancing. Many firms found it impossible meet the criteria of volume of transactions the mortgage companies required.

I have just over seventy years unexpired on my lease and require a lease extension for my flat in Sawston. Conveyancing solicitors on the Accord Mortgages panel can deal with such extensions right?

Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 17/2/2025 the requirements read as follows :

We are buying a victorian detached house in Sawston. Our aim is to convert the garage to a playroom at the property.Will legal due diligence on the property include checks to determine if these works are prohibited?

Your conveyancer will review the registered title as conveyancing in Sawston will on occasion identify restrictions in the title deeds which restrict certain alterations or require the consent of another owner. Many works require local authority planning consent and approval in accordance building regulations. Certain locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. It would be sensible to check these things with a surveyor before you commit yourself to a purchase.

I'm the single recipient of my late grandmother’s will with all property in now in my sole name, including the house in Sawston. Conveyancing formalities meant that the Land Registry date was in January. I plan to dispose of the property. I do know about the CML six month 'rule', meaning my property ownership could be treated the same way as if I'd bought the house in January. Do I have to wait half a year to sell?

The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ handbook obliges solicitors to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." By the strict wording you may be caught by that. Most mortgage companies would take a pragmatic view as this requirement primarily exists to identify subsales or the flipping of property.

We have agreed to purchase a house in Sawston. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Yorkshire BS be concerned?

As you are obtaining a mortgage with Yorkshire BS your lawyer must check the conveyancing instructions contained in Part two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Yorkshire BS. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook contains minimum provisions for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Yorkshire BS where a lease fails to satisfy these specifications. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not isolated to Sawston.

I'm buying my first flat in Sawston benefiting from help to buy. The sellers would not reduce the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of fixtures and fittings instead. The estate agent told me not inform my conveyancer about the side-deal as it could impact my mortgage with the bank. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

My business partner and I are hoping to take an assignment of a lease of a shop on a shopping parade. Can you recommend lawyers offering competitive costs for non-domestic conveyancing in Sawston for below 1500k?

We are happy to recommend firms who have an in-depth of experience of commercial conveyancing in Sawston, including the disposal and acquisition of businesses as well as simply premises. If you are looking to buy or dispose of a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail premises or a whole business we will put you in touch with the right solicitor. Regarding the fees these will vary based on the structure and nuances of the deal. Let us have your details or telephone us so that we may supply you with comprehensive commercial conveyancing quote.