We are looking to buy a house and need a conveyancing solicitor in Leicester who is on the Bank of Ireland approved panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a solicitor?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Bank of Ireland . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Leicester.

I am purchasing a garden flat in Leicester. How practical is it for me to do the conveyancing?

Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Leicester you will have to appoint a solicitor on your bank's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Leicester.

What does a local search reveal about the property I am purchasing in Leicester?

Leicester conveyancing often commences with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search company for example Onsearch The local search is essential in every Leicester conveyancing purchase; as long as you wish to avoid any nasty once you have moved into your new home. The search should provide information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen topic sections.

I'm purchasing my first flat in Leicester with a loan from Alliance & Leicester . The builders refused to move on the price so I negotiated £7000 of fixtures and fittings instead. The sale representative told me not inform my conveyancer about this extras as it may adversely affect my mortgage with the bank. Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder 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'm purchasing a apartment in Leicester. I have found my conveyancer's company on the CLC list, but I can't find my conveyancer's name as listed on the regulator's website. Should I be concerned?

Not all staff in the company must be listed by the regulator. As long there is a manager qualified to 'oversee' the conveyancing, the actual day-to-day activity can be conducted by unlicensed staff.