Recently contacted my conveyancing solicitor in Heston who completed the legal work two years ago and wanted a conveyancing estimate based on the same type of house sale & purchase (a leasehold residence and a freehold premises) of similar values with a mortgage from TSB. I am now being quoted twice the amount. Stick with what I know or should I try and find an alternative conveyancer?

The quote is fractionally on the expensive side. If you are prepared to invest time comparing quotes you may be able to reduce the fees slightly by as much as £100 plus VAT. On the other hand, if you were content with the service the firm provided you couldlive to regret choosing an an unknown solicitor. Don't forget to be sure that the conveyancer can represent TSB. You can use our search tool to select a Heston conveyancing firm on the TSB approved list of lawyers, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Heston.

Do I have to attend the offices of the solicitor to execute the legal charge? If so, I will choose one who does conveyancing in Heston so that I can attend their offices if required.

Most approved lawyers for lenders conduct their communications through the post, e-mail or over the phone. This enables them to conduct the legal work for your home move regardless of where you live in England or Wales. However you can see if you have the option of attending the offices of your conveyancing lawyer if you prefer.

Does a directory service exist listing Kent Reliance panel solicitors in Heston on the Building Society Association’s Website?

Unfortunately not yet. There is no such facility on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association sites. Very few lending institutions make their panel listings open the public online. Where you are looking for a Heston conveyancer on the Kent Reliance please use our tool.

I recently had an offer agreed on an apartment in Heston. My mortgage broker recommended their conveyancers. I paid an on account payment of £225. Soon after, the conveyancer contacted me sheepishly admitting that they were not on the Nottingham conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?

You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the Nottingham panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.

I have instructed a Heston property lawyer having checked that they are on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?

Coventry BS will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Coventry BS 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 lawyer 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 Heston postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Coventry BS, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Heston.

I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing solicitor in Heston for my home move. Is there any facility to see a solicitor's record with the profession’s regulator?

One may see documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions arising from inquisitions commenced on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find records Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor telephone calls for training purposes.

I was advised by my mortgage company that their panel lawyers work on no move no charge basis for conveyancing in Heston. I had a purchase abort nevertheless the conveyancers want search fees! They are stating that the fees are independent!

Heston conveyancing search charges are separate expenses not solicitors costs as these are payable to independent parties.