I am expecting a mortgage with Halifax. I would like to instruct a Licensed Conveyancer in Tyne And Wear. Does the Halifax Conveyancing panel include Licensed Conveyancers?

The Halifax approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders, associated to the Council or Mortgage Lenders or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

Do the Building Society Association intend to launch a searchable register to to identify practices on the Loughborough BS conveyancing panel for instance in Tyne And Wear?

We are not aware of any intention on the part of the BSA to promote such a register.

I have a renovated Victorian property in Tyne And Wear. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Virgin Money. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold under the matching property. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??

You should assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Tyne And Wear and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also question the position with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the conveyancing.

I am purchasing a new build house in Tyne And Wear benefiting from help to buy. The builders refused to move on the amount so I negotiated 6k of additionals instead. The house builders rep advised me not inform my solicitor about the deal as it would affect my mortgage with National Westminster Bank. Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

I am 3 weeks into a residential purchase having been referred to a firm by the high street agent to carry out the conveyancing in Tyne And Wear. We are not happy. Can you you assist me in finding new conveyancers?

A conveyancer would have to be very poor to suggest changing them. Has the mortgage offer been issued? If so you must advise them of the replacement conveyancer and ensure the mortgage documents are re-sent. Your solicitor ideally should be on the mortgage company approved list to avoid added charges and complications. So that should be your first question of the new conveyancers. The search tool should help you find a bank approved lawyer for your conveyancing in Tyne And Wear