Me and my partner are buying a 1 bedroom apartment in Shortlands with a mortgage. We have a Shortlands lawyer, but the lender says he's not on their "panel". It appears that we have no choice but to appoint one of the lender panel firms or keep our Shortlands property lawyer as well as pay for one of their panel lawyers to act for them. We consider that this is inequitable; can we not require that the lender use our Shortlands conveyancing practitioner ?
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 Shortlands conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Completed the sale of my flat in Shortlands last October but my buyer keeps Skype messaging every few hours to moan that her solicitor needs to hear from mine. What are the post completion sale formalities following completion?
Following your disposal your conveyancer should deliver the transfer documentation and all of the paperwork to the buyer’s solicitors. Depending on the transaction, your lawyer should also evidence that the home loan has been paid off to the purchasers solicitors. There are no post completion formalities just for conveyancing in Shortlands.
About to place a bid on a leasehold property in Shortlands. The selling agents assure me that it is normal for flats in Shortlands to have less than 75 years remaining. I am getting a loan with The Mortgage Works. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 72 years left.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. The Mortgage Works have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 26/11/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I decided to have a survey done on a house in Shortlands in advance of retaining conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the property. My surveyor advised that some lenders will refuse to issue a loan on such a house.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different instructions from Nationwide. If you contact us we can check with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Shortlands. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
My husband and I are FTB’s - had an offer accepted, but the agent has warned us that the owners will only issue a contract if we use the agent's chosen conveyancers as they need a ‘quick sale’. Our preferred option is to instruct a high street solicitor accustomed to conveyancing in Shortlands
We suspect that the owner is unaware of this ultimatum. Should the owner desire ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a genuine buyer is likely to cause more damage than good. Try to communicate with the owners directly and make the point that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to progress, with mortgage lined up © you are chain free (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)however you will continue to instruct your own,trusted Shortlands conveyancing firm - rather thanthose that will earn the negotiator at the agency a commission or meet his conveyancing targets demanded by senior management.