My husband and I are purchasing a 3 bedroom apartment in Kibworth Beauchamp with a loan from Accord Mortgages Ltd.We use our Kibworth Beauchamp conveyancing solicitor but Accord Mortgages Ltd informed us he's not on their approved list of firms. We have to appoint a Accord Mortgages Ltd panel firm or retain our high street solicitor and pay for a Accord Mortgages Ltd panel lawyer to act for them. We feel as though this is unjust; is there anything we can do?

No, not really. The loan offered to you is subject to its various provisions, a common one being that conveyancers must be on the Accord Mortgages Ltd approved list. Until recently, most banks 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 solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Accord Mortgages Ltd

We previously appointed solicitors with offices in Kibworth Beauchamp on the Barclays solicitor panel. They have just billed me a separate sum for handling the Barclays mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set by Barclays?

Provided it is contained in their Terms of Engagement or estimate then yes your property lawyer can charge a fee for this. This fee is not dictated by Barclays but by your Kibworth Beauchamp lawyer. Numerous firms on the Barclays panel will charge ’dealing with mortgage’ fee but plenty of firms include it on their overall fee.

I have a mortgage with Kent Reliance for my property in Kibworth Beauchamp. Conveyancing has been completed some time ago. If I am intending to rent out the flat and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform Kent Reliance?

Your original mortgage agreement with Kent Reliance will provide that you need their approval prior to letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of Kent Reliance’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Kent Reliance directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Kent Reliance conveyancing panel solicitor.

I've read lots of house buying guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Kibworth Beauchamp solicitor - who is on the RBS conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?

RBS will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually RBS will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your conveyancer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Kibworth Beauchamp postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with RBS, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Kibworth Beauchamp.

How does conveyancing in Kibworth Beauchamp differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Kibworth Beauchamp approach us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because builders in Kibworth Beauchamp tend to buy the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Kibworth Beauchamp or who has acted in the same development.

I am looking into buying my first house which is in Kibworth Beauchamp and I am already nervous. I couldn't find anything specific about Kibworth Beauchamp. Conveyancing will be needed in due course but do you know about the Kibworth Beauchamp area? or perhaps some other tips you can share?

Rather than looking online forget looking online you should go and have a look at Kibworth Beauchamp. In the meantime here are some basic statistics that we found

I note that you have a search directory listing firms on the mortgage company conveyancing panel. Do Kibworth Beauchamp conveyancing companies pay you a referral fee if I retain them for my own conveyancing?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the bank conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Kibworth Beauchamp.