We are purchasing a 3 bedroom apartment in Weymouth with a mortgage. We wish to retain our Weymouth conveyancer, but the lender says he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the mortgage company panel solicitors or keep our Weymouth solicitor and pay for one of their panel lawyers to represent them. We regard this is inequitable; is there anything we can do?

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 Weymouth conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

Is it possible to change conveyancer as I need to retain a firm on the Platform Home Loans Ltd conveyancing list. I was using a local conveyancing solicitor in Weymouth five minutes from me but she is not approved by Platform Home Loans Ltd

We will our best to assist in finding you a conveyancing solicitor in Weymouth on the Platform Home Loans Ltd panel. Please note that the law firms that we on the directory do not pay us commission if you instruct them and are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority who regulate all conveyancing solicitors in Weymouth. Using search facility on this page, you can contrast charges for conveyancing solicitors in Weymouth and throughout England and Wales.

I am 17 days into a freehold purchase having been recommend to solicitors by the estate agent to carry out the conveyancing in Weymouth. I am am starting to be disappointed with the level of service. Can you help me find new conveyancers?

They would have to be very bad to suggest replacing them. Has the mortgage offer been issued? In the event that it has you need to advise them of the new lawyer and ensure the mortgage documents are issued to the new lawyers. Your conveyancer should be on the mortgage company approved list to avoid added charges and complications. So that should be your first question of the new lawyers. The search tool will assist you in finding a lender approved lawyer for your conveyancing in Weymouth

I am employed by a long established estate agency in Weymouth where we have experienced a few flat sales derailed due to short leases. I have received inconsistent advice from local Weymouth conveyancing firms. Can you shed some light as to whether the seller of a flat can instigate the lease extension formalities for the buyer?

Provided that the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to kick-start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the proposed purchaser can avoid having to wait 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment has to be done prior to, or simultaneously with completion of the disposal of the property.

An alternative approach is to agree the lease extension with the freeholder either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the purchaser.

Weymouth Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries Prior to buying

Please tell me if there are any major works anticipated that will increase the service fees? How much is the maintenance charge and ground rent on the apartment? What is the name of the managing agents?

Do I need to pop into the offices of the bank conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the mortgage deed? If so, I will appoint a lawyer who conducts conveyancing in Weymouth as it will be easier to attend their offices if required.

Most conveyancing panel lawyers for the bank undertake conveyancing via the post, internet or over the phone. This means that they can undertake your Conveyancing Transaction no matter where you live in England or Wales. YOu dont have to use a conveyancing solicitor in Weymouth. it would nevertheless be wise to check if you can still book an appointment to go into appointed conveyancing lawyer if you prefer.