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Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Bath BS list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
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How does my firm apply to be on the Bath Building Society Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Bath Building Society Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Bath Building Society Dual Representation Solicitors
Bath Building Society does not operate a Conveyancing Panel, but does allow certain lawyers to conduct dual representation subject to meeting their criteria.
For the purposes of clarification, references on this page to "conveyancing panel" mean the ability of your lawyer represent both you and Bath Building Society in their capacity as lender.
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For what reasons could a firm of solicitors be excluded from the Bath Building Society approved conveyancing panel?
According to a recent survey report by the solicitors regulator three quarters of solicitor practices had been removed from a lender panel. The most common reasons in order are :
- Low volume of transactions
- the lawyer is a sole practitioner
- as part of the HSBC panel reduction
- regulatory contact by SRA
- accidental removal. We are not aware of the specific or common criteria for removal by Bath Building Society
Much to my surprise my solicitor has informed me that he requires identification documents asserting that this forms part of his retainer as a conveyancer on the Bath Building Society Solicitor panel. Can you confirm whether this is the case?
Due to Money Laundering Regulations your conveyancing lawyer is duty bound to confirm positively your identification when entering into a business relationship with you. It is a criminal offense if your lawyer not do this. If you do not provide ID early in the transaction the solicitor must refuse to act for you. It’s unlikely a lawyer will turn you away if you come to the first meeting without relevant ID but you will have to produce it at some point so you might as well bring it with you to the initial meeting so the lawyer can tick the ID verification box and start sorting out the conveyancing straight away. If you are getting a mortgage with Bath Building Society your lawyer also has to check ID documents to satisfy Bath Building Society
Are the lawyers identified as being on the Bath Building Society conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by Bath Building Society?
The firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Bath Building Society conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Bath Building Society directly.
I am purchasing a semi-detached house and getting a mortgage with Bath Building Society. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Bath Building Society 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 made in you doing to 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 the Bath Building Society conveyancing panel in your location.
I previously instructed online conveyancers located in Bristol who are on the Bath Building Society solicitor panel. They have just invoiced me a separate fee of £135 for the legal aspects of the Bath Building Society mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set by Bath Building Society?
Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your solicitors can charge a fee for this. This fee is not set by Bath Building Society but by your lawyers. Some firms on the Bath Building Society will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.
I was thinking of purchasing my friend’s property. Once we agree a price, what’s the best way to move forward? I plan to obtain a mortgage with Bath Building Society. Is there anyway to cut out the solicitors to save on the costs? My father said that years ago it was possible to take the documents into the local Land Registry office and they did the rest
If you are getting a mortgage with Bath Building Society involved you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Bath Building Society conveyancing panel. We would not encourage you to both use the same solicitors' firm. There are clear conflict of interest issues and it's not going to make a huge difference to the speed of the overall process. So as not to hold things us you should pass on your solicitors details to Bath Building Society. Feel free to use our search tool to look for a licensed conveyancer or solicitor on the Bath Building Society conveyancing panel.
Bath Building Society have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on house has been accepted, now what?
The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure these solicitors are on the lenders panel). Call up Bath Building Society or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Bath Building Society will tell you what documents they want. Bath Building Society will instruct a valuer. The valuer will get in touch with the estate agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about week to get a mortgage offer. Bath Building Society will issue the offer to you and your lawyer. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing.
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Transfer of Equity for Bath Building SocietyPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors