I can't travel far from Hillsborough. Is there a reason why all Hillsborough conveyancers aren't automatically on all bank panels?
Banks ordinarily restrict either the type or volume of conveyancing practices on their panel. Typical examples of such restriction(s) being that a practice must have two or more partners. As well as restricting the nature of firm, some lenders made a decision to reduce the number of conveyancers they permit to act for them. You should note that mortgage companies have no liability for the quality of service provided by any Hillsborough lawyer on their panel. Increases in mortgage fraud was the key driver in the rationalisation of solicitor panels a few years ago notwithstanding that there are opposing points of view concerning the extent of solicitor involvement in some of that fraud. Statistics from HM Land Registry exposes that thousands of conveyancing practices only transact a couple of conveyances a year. Those advocating conveyancing panel pruning question why conveyancing firms deserve the right to remain on a bank panel when clearly property law is not their primary expertise?
In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Hillsborough? What am I being asked for?
It is indeed that case that the requirement set out by your solicitor has nothing to do with conveyancing in Hillsborough. However these days you can not complete any conveyancing process if you have not supplying evidence of your identity. Ordinarily this takes the form of a either your passport or driving licence and a bank statement. Remember if you are supplying your driving licence as evidence of identification it needs to be both the paper part as well as the photo card part, one is not satisfactory in the absence of the other.
Evidence of the source of funds is required in accordance with the Money Laundering Regulations. Please do not be offended when you are asked to produce this as your lawyer must have this information on file. Your Hillsborough conveyancing lawyer will need to see evidence of proof of funds before they are able to accept any money from you into their client account and they may also ask additional questions regarding the origin of monies.
About to place an offer on a leasehold property in Hillsborough. The selling agents tell me that it is normal for flats in Hillsborough to have less than 75 years left on the lease. I am expecting a mortgage with Virgin. Is this going to be a problem if the lease has 70 years remaining.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 29/11/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I got the keys to my apartment on 11 October and my personal details is yet to be registered. Need I be worried? My conveyancing solicitor in Hillsborough advises it would be dealt with inside ten days. Are transfers in Hillsborough uniquely lengthy to register?
As far as conveyancing in Hillsborough is concerned, registration is no faster or slower than the rest of England and Wales. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timeframes can vary depending on the party submitting the application, whether there are errors and whether the Land registry must send notices to any interested parties. At present approximately three quarters of such applications are fully addressed in less than three weeks but occasionally there can be longer delays. Historically registration occurs after the new owner has moved in to the premises thus post completion formalities is not typically an essential issue yet where it is urgent that the the registration takes place urgently then you or your conveyancer must speak with the land registry and explain the circumstances.
Me and my wife are disposing of a Hillsborough apartment we inherited six years ago in 2012. I have over a decades worth of conveyancing knowledge and, now retired, wish to do the legal work. The buyer's property lawyer has informed me that their Lenders will not allow us to do our own conveyancing as they require the funds to be released via a solicitor's bank account.
Mortgage requirements to conveyancing practitioners from all CML members specify that If the seller is not legally represented the borrower's lawyers should check whether the mortgage company needs to be informed so that a decision can be reached as to whether they are prepared to progress.