Find an Approved Solicitor on the Kent Reliance (a trading name of OneSavings Bank plc)
Conveyancing Panel
FAQs for the Kent Reliance Conveyancing Panel
My fiance and I are novices when it comes to buying a property. Within the 48 hours our conveyancer has sent a preliminary report and documents to look through with a view to exchanging next week. Kent Reliance have this evening contacted us to advise us that there is now an issue as our lawyer is not on their approved list of lawyers. Is this a problem?
If you are buying a property with the assistance of a mortgage it is usual for the purchaser's solicitors to also act for the purchaser's lender.
In order to act for a bank or building society a law firm has to be on that lender's conveyancing panel. An application has to be made by the law firm to the lender to become a member of the lender's panel and there are increasingly strict criteria which the firm has to satisfy and indeed some lenders now require their panel members to be part of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme.
Your property lawyers should contact Kent Reliance and see if they can apply for membership of the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel, but if that is not viable Kent Reliance will instruct their own solicitors to act. You are not legally obliged to appoint a law firm on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel and you may continue to use your own solicitors, in which case your legal fees may increase, and it may delay matters as you have another set of people involved.
We are getting closer to an exchange and my mum and dad having transferred the 10% deposit to my lawyer. I am now advised that as the deposit has not come from me my lawyer needs to disclose this to my lender Kent Reliance. I am advised that, being on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform Kent Reliance if the balance of the mortgage advance is not just from me. I advised the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the mortgage so is it really necessary for him to raise this?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with Kent Reliance to make sure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only report this to Kent Reliance if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
Do I need to visit the offices of the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the mortgage deed? If so, I will choose one who does conveyancing in Manchester
so that I can pop in to their offices if required.
As opposed to 12 years ago, most lenders no longer require their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the borrowers signature. You will still be obliged to provide ID Documents and there are still distinct advantages to using a local solicitor, in your case a conveyancing solicitor in Manchester
.
I am considering applying for a Kent Reliance mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) with 60% LTV. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Kent Reliance?
There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor but Kent Reliance will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is greater potential for delays and confusion with an additional lawyer added to the mix, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.
Do the majority of lenders operate their own panel of solicitors?
Many lenders do operate a restricted conveyancing panel but a lot of lenders allow any solicitors to join their panel so long as they meet their criteria. Each lender sets their own criteria. For example the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel requirements are different to Kent Reliance’s conveyancing panel requirements.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat. I have a mortgage offer with Kent Reliance. Conveyancing is new to me. 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 Kent Reliance you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel.
Completion of my remortgage has taken place with a loan from Kent Reliance. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about Kent Reliance. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
All lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the Kent Reliance branches or the Customer Care Department at Kent Reliance head office. We understand that complaints to Kent Reliance are resolved very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is resolved you can write to the
Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.