My wife and I are hoping to purchase a 2 bedroom apartment in Longbenton with a mortgage. We have a Longbenton conveyancer, but the bank advise he's not on their "panel". It appears that we have little option but to appoint one of the mortgage company panel solicitors or retain our Longbenton lawyer and pay for one of their panel firms to act for them. We consider that this is unjust; is there anything we can do?

Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’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 Longbenton conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

I am the registered owner of a freehold house in Longbenton but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Longbenton and has limited impact for conveyancing in Longbenton but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges have existed for hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of fresh rentcharges post 1977.

Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 will be dispensed with completely.

The deeds to my home are lost. The conveyancers who conducted the conveyancing in Longbenton 4 years ago are no longer around. What are my next steps?

Nowadays there are copies made of almost everything, and your conveyancer will be aware exactly where to find all the relevant paperwork so you may purchase or sell your property without a hitch. Where duplicates can’t be located, your conveyancer can arrange cover in the form of insurance or indemnities protecting you against future claims on your premises.

How easy is it to switch solicitor as I have to choose a firm on the Barnsley Building Society conveyancing panel. I hired a family conveyancing solicitor in Longbenton round the corner but the firm is not approved by Barnsley Building Society

It would be our pleasure to assist you select a conveyancing solicitor in Longbenton on the Barnsley Building Society panel. Please note that the property lawyers that we on the directory do not pay us commission if you instruct them and are fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority who regulate all conveyancing solicitors in Longbenton. In utilising the find a conveyancing solicitor tool on this page, you can compare and instruct different solicitors and conveyancers both nationally and in Longbenton.

We are hoping to acquire a repossessed property in Longbenton and the bank selling would like to complete inside a week. Can a conveyancing practitioner complete in this timeframe? Would it be better to select a local Longbenton firm or an online company that advertises to offer speedy conveyancing?

Visit your Longbenton high street. Pop in to two or three firms and request to talk to a conveyancing solicitor for an estimate. Explain your needs and try and obtain assurances on deadlines. Select the one that appears most genuine. Make sure to choose a conveyancer on the panel of conveyancing practitioners approved by your lender.