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Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Hampden list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
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My fiance and I are purchasing a 3 bedroom flat in Leeds with a mortgage from Hampden. We would like to retain our solicitor but Hampden says she’s not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct one of the Hampden panel firms or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; Can we not simply insist that Hampden use our lawyer?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the Hampden 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. Another option that might be available is for your lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Hampden
I am buying a newly built duplex and my conveyancer is telling me that she has to reveal incentives from the developer as her firm is on the Hampden conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to exchange and I would rather not delay matters. Is my lawyer right?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Hampden approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Hampden). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Having used your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Hampden conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Hampden approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the Hampden conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the Hampden solicitor panel.
We're in London, First time buyers purchasing with a mortgage (lender is Hampden , but our solicitor is on the Hampden conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the Hampden conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancer should guarantee a time-frame for your conveyancing due to third parties outside of our control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain
I had instructed online conveyancers based in Cardiff who are on the Hampden solicitor panel. They have just invoiced me a separate fee of £175 for dealing with the Hampden mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee specified by Hampden?
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 Hampden but by your lawyers. Some firms on the Hampden will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee but plenty of firms include it on their overall fee.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Hampden. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have 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 Hampden you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Hampden conveyancing panel.
Hampden 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 Hampden or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Hampden will tell you what documents they want. Hampden 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. Hampden 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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