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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
Better HomeOwnership Conveyancing Panel : Questions and Answers
I appointed a firm of solicitors to work on my house purchase three weeks ago having applied for a mortgage with Better HomeOwnership. The firm reassured me that they are on Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel and provided me their panel number. Better HomeOwnership then ,via my broker advised that their panel number was dormant and would need to be reactivated. What do I do from here? Should I appoint a new solicitor currently on the approved panel for Better HomeOwnership?
You may be very frustrated with the lawyer but if it only go take a few more days they it may be worth waiting as, depending on how far progressed you are you may end up delaying the transaction by a number of weeks if you need to replace your solicitor You may wish to enlist the help of your broker to check with the Better HomeOwnership as to how long they think it will take to get the firm to get back on the panel.
My solicitor has identified a difference between the assumptions in Better HomeOwnership’s valuation survey and what is revealed within the title deeds. My lawyer says that as he is on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel he must check that the bank is happy with this discrepancy and is still content to lend. Is my conveyancer’s stance legitimate?
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) which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. 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.
Are there any apps to help find a local solicitor on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 20 miles to meet the conveyancer.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel tool on this website. Please choose the lender and your location and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest you. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the Better HomeOwnership solicitor panel.
The firm that I recently instructed on my house acquisition in Manchester has without warning closed. I only went with them because I had to have a solicitor on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel and my preferred lawyer was not. I gave my credit card details for them to take £175 for searches. What do I do now?
Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then let them know immediately so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to the problems encountered. Hopefully they will be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You will need to appoint new lawyers that are on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new lawyers may be able to help
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.
My wife and I have arranged a further advance on our mortgage from Better HomeOwnership as we wish to carry out alterations or improvements our home. Do we need to appoint a solicitor on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?
Better HomeOwnership would not normally appoint a member of their approved list of lawyers to deal with such a matter. If they did require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Better HomeOwnership list
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat. I have a mortgage offer with Better HomeOwnership. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with Better HomeOwnership you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel.
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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