Find a Law Firm
approved by Leeds Building Society
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Leeds Building Society list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
How does my firm apply to be on the Leeds Building Society Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Leeds Building Society Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Leeds Building Society Conveyancing Panel
Q and A’s regarding the Leeds Building Society Conveyancing Panel
Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my solicitor is not on the Leeds Building Society Conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the quality of his work?
That would more than likely be a wrong assumption to make. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 3 reasons are as follows: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should simply call the firm and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for Leeds Building Society.
My conveyancer has identified a difference when comparing the surveyor’s assumptions in Leeds Building Society’s valuation survey and what is in the legal papers for the property. My lawyer says that as he is on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel he needs to check that the bank is with this discrepancy and is content go ahead. Is my conveyancer’s approach correct?
A precondition to being on the Leeds Building Society approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Leeds Building Society) 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 both parties.
Is it necessary during the course of the conveyancing process to have a meeting at the offices of the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the legal charge? 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 was expecting to move into my dream home last Friday. My lawyer’s firm is on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel but has changed address in the past couple of months and had not advised Leeds Building Society of their new address. Leeds Building Society is now refusing to release my funds as the information from the solicitors isn't correct.
This is as unusual as it is unlucky. Most lender Terms of Conveyancing Panel Appointment specifically oblige the solicitor to inform the lender of an address change. Your solicitor needs to treat this with the utmost urgency. Do speak with or register your concern with the senior partner (assuming he or she is not your direct lawyer). Most lenders would be reasonable in this situation and expedite the resolution of this issue. It may be prudent to enlist the help of your local Leeds Building Society branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can help.
Can I be sure that the solicitor on the Leeds Building Society panel is any good?
obtaining recommendations is a good start. Before you go ahead check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always suggest that you speak with the solicitor conducting your transaction
Completion of my remortgage has taken place with a loan from Leeds Building Society. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about Leeds Building Society. How does one go about formally complaining?
Almost all lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the Leeds Building Society branches or the Customer Care Department at Leeds Building Society head office. We understand that complaints to Leeds Building Society are sorted out very quickly. If you feel that the matter is not resolved you can write to the
Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.
Can I register a complaint to Leeds Building Society about the lawyers being on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel?
There is little point in complaining directly to Leeds Building Society. All solicitors 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 properly dealt with 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.
Other Topics
Transfer of Equity for Leeds Building SocietyPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors