The benefits of access to local area information when you move are considerable. Associations with local authorities and other Hanwell information sources, such as water and drainage providers, are maintained by our Solicitors and they are also cognisant of the issues and considerations native to the area.

Do you know if your Hanwell dream home is in an Engish Heritage at risk conservation area?

Conservation areas are designated by Local Councils to control change in residential (and industrial) areas that people wish to protect from neglect. There are 9,300 of them in the UK. However, sadly many are falling into a state of disrepair e.g. increase in unsympathetic replacement doors and windows - typically pvc.

The following conservation areas are reported as at risk:

• Hanwell Village Green, Hanwell - poor, low vulnerability and deteriorating.
• St Marks Church and Canal, Hanwell - poor, low vulnerability and deteriorating.
• Cuckoo Estate, Hanwell - poor, low vulnerability and deteriorating.
• Hanwell Clock Tower, Hanwell - very bad, low vulnerability and improving.

Issues to consider when your lawyer is not on your Lender's panel

Mortgage lenders maintain panels of solicitors who they will instruct to carry out legal work on mortgages. At one time, many lenders, especially the large banks, were prepared to instruct any firm of solicitors who asked to be placed on their panel. More recently, lenders have begun to remove firms which have either not completed many conveyancing transactions or have failed to meet other criteria. If your Hanwell conveyancing solicitor is not on your preferred lender's panel, then the lender will not instruct that firm to act in connection with the mortgage. You then have a choice:

• Obtain a mortgage from a less restrictive lender
• Instruct a solicitor whom your lender accepts
• Pay the lenders costs for their solicitor in addition to your own

It is usually cheaper to have the same firm act both for you and your lender, and carry out all the conveyancing work in connection with a purchase and the mortgage. Consider these issues if you are intending to stay with your solicitor rather than opt for your mortgage lender's choice:

• You will have to pay your lender's legal costs
• By being required to send documents to the lender's solicitors, delays will inevitably occur
• You will be unable to contact the lender's firm directly, as they will be acting for the lender rather than you

Official Local Authority Searches in Hanwell

If your are looking to purchase a property in Hanwell your solicitor is required to apply to the council for Local Authority Searches. The Local Authority for Hanwell is London Borough of Ealing Council, Perceval House, 14- 16 Uxbridge Road, Ealing, London, W5 2HL. Tel: