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Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Better 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 Better HomeOwnership (Mortgages) Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Better HomeOwnership (Mortgages) Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Better HomeOwnership (Mortgages) Conveyancing Panel
Common questions asked concerning the Better HomeOwnership Conveyancing Panel
I need to swap lawyers as my lawyer is not on the Better HomeOwnership panel of conveyancing solicitors. Is it advisable to appoint a new law firm?
If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to do anything for you and have just received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer you're considering.
Our solicitor has uncovered a legal deficiency with the lease for the property we are buying. The seller’s lawyers have put forward defective title insurance as a workaround. We are happy with insurance and will cover the costs. Our solicitor says that as he is on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel he must ensure that the lender is happy with this solution. Are we the client or is Better HomeOwnership?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the potential for a conflict of interest, you and Better HomeOwnership are the client. A precondition to being on the Better HomeOwnership approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Better HomeOwnership). The CML Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects will the lease so that Better HomeOwnership can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected . Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
I need to find a Better HomeOwnership panel solicitor in Stirling. Can you assist?
It is not clear why you need a Better HomeOwnership panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Better HomeOwnership to find out which solicitors in Better HomeOwnership are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. At a fee of one pound per month it is not expensive to register on the site
My grandmother passed away six months ago and as sole heir and executor was left the house. The house had a small mortgage left on it of around £5k. I want to have the title changed into my name whilst I re-mortgage to Better HomeOwnership , pay off the mortgage etc. Is this allowed?
If you intend to re-mortgage then Better HomeOwnership will insist on your using a conveyancer on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the Better HomeOwnership mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.
Can you point me to a directory of Better HomeOwnership panel conveyancers on the Council of Mortgage Lender’s Website?
No. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few lenders make their panel listings available online.
Are all solicitors on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the SRA. Many lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
Can I register a complaint to Better HomeOwnership about the lawyers being on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel?
There is little point in complaining directly to Better HomeOwnership. Every solicitor firm and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. Usually one can find this information from the solicitor’s or conveyancer’s website or ask at their office. They must tell you about it if you ask.
The Legal Ombudsman will make sure that your complaint is addressed by the solicitor. It can also advise you how to complain.
If a licensed conveyancer does not have a complaints procedure or will not tell you about it, contact the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the conveyancer. Please see below for more information.
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Transfer of Equity for Better HomeOwnershipPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors