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approved by Whistletree
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Whistletree 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 Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) Conveyancing Panel
Whistletree Solicitor Panel Recently Asked Questions
I would like to know the reason why all UK lawyers are not on the Whistletree Conveyancing panel?
Pre- 2008 most lenders had an appetite for risk which was higher than today. The Financial Services Authority in 2010 conducted a thematic review into mortgage fraud which concluded: know the conveyancing solicitors that you are dealing with. Consequently, lenders have regularly sought more information from law firms about their operations and the individuals who work for them and set certain criteria such a completing on a minimum number of transactions. Many firms that have been excluded from lender panels have 100% healthy track record, no complaints and no claims and didn't just 'dabble' in conveyancing. Such firms were never going to meet the criteria of volume of transactions the lenders required.
I am buying a new build apartment and my solicitor is informing me that she has to disclose incentives from the seller as her firm is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. I am nearing the developer’s deadline to exchange and my preference is not to delay matters. Can I insist on an exchange regardless of what my lawyer says about being on the Whistletree panel?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Whistletree approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Whistletree). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
I see that you have a search directory identifying law firms on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a referral fee if I appoint them for my conveyancing?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Whistletree conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
I am selling my house. Does my solicitor have to be on the Whistletree conveyancing panel in order to deal with paying off my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Whistletree conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. it might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently at the moment.
I have today made my last payment due on mortgage with Whistletree. I assume I don't need a solicitor on the Whistletree panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm
If you have finished paying off your Whistletree mortgage they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Whistletree mortgage from the register. Whistletree,and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
but are not moving to another property
where the Whistletree has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
the Whistletree has instructed the Land Registry to do so
The Land Registry will send you a letter confirming that your Whistletree mortgage has been paid off.
I was told four weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed
to by Whistletree. Is it usual for Whistletree to only issue the offer once my
solicitor is approved on their conveyancing panel?
A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Whistletree to deal with your lawyers application to be on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitors will be accepted.
Whistletree 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 Whistletree or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Whistletree will tell you what documents they want. Whistletree 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. Whistletree 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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Transfer of Equity for WhistletreePlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors