Me and my partner are intending to purchase a 3 bedroom flat in Hatch End with a mortgage. We would like to retain our Hatch End conveyancer, but the bank says she’s not on their "panel". It appears that we have no option but to instruct one of the bank panel firms or keep our Hatch End property lawyer and pay for one of their panel lawyers to represent them. We regard this is inequitable; is there anything we can do?

No, not really. The mortgage offered to you 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. A further alternative is for your Hatch End conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

My wife and I are buying a house in Hatch End. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a lawyer? On the day of competition we will need to put our life savings into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our deposit?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

We are aiming to move home in March. Will my conveyancing solicitor update the removal company on the day of completion. As an aside, can you put forward a removal company in Hatch End. Conveyancing solicitor was found before I stumbled across this page.

On the afternoon of completion you can pick up the house keys from your selling agent but this should only happen when the previous owners conveyancers advise the agent that the monies to complete are in and the keys can be released. You should tell the removal men that they can start moving you in. As a matter of policy we do not suggest a specific removal company but can assist you in locating a residential property solicitor in Hatch End or a solicitor that specialises in conveyancing in Hatch End.

Is it the case that all Hatch End solicitors on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel are regulated by the SRA?

As solicitors, in order to be on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel they would need to be overseen by the SRA. Many mortgage companies do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel and in such a situation the firms would be overseen by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

I have been told that property searches are the primary cause of obstruction in Hatch End conveyancing transactions. Is that correct?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published determinations of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the common causes of delays in the conveyancing process. Local searches are not likely to be the root cause of slowing down conveyancing in Hatch End.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Hatch End?

Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Hatch End. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

I am buying a new build apartment in Hatch End. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build conveyancing.

Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Hatch End

Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Please supply a car parking plan. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision.