My wife and I are purchasing a 3 bedroom flat in Margate with a mortgage. We wish to retain our Margate solicitor, however the bank says he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the lender panel firms or continue with our Margate conveyancer as well as pay for one of their panel lawyers to act for them. This feels very unfair; are we not able to require that the bank use our Margate lawyer ?

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

We are a couple about to exchange contracts for a garden flat in Margate. We have hit a stumbling block. The loan offer with Barclays expires on 5/2/2026 but the owners are suggesting a completion date of 9/2/2026. Is it possible to extend the mortgage offer?

The person best placed to deal with your concern is your solicitors who will hopefully determine if he or she is should be discussing with the mortgage broker, owner’s conveyancers, estate agents or indeed all three based on the circumstances your house move as of today.

Should lawyers ask for money up-front for conveyancing in Margate?

Where you are retaining lawyers for conveyancing in Margate your solicitor will ask you to provide them with monies to cover the the cost of the conveyancing searches. Generally this is called for to cover the fees of the conveyancing searches. If any deposit is payable against the sale price then this will be required shortly ahead of contracts are exchanged. Any further balance that is due should be sent to your lawyer a couple of days prior to the completion date.

three months have gone by following my purchase conveyancing in Margate concluded. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £200,000 when infact I paid £160,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the property from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

Is it the case that all Margate law firms on every bank conveyancing panel?

The Lexsure search tool on this page may be of use or you can pop into your local lender branch in Margate. the probability is that they will know some good conveyancing solicitors in Margate