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Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the zephyr list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.

Find an Approved Solicitor on the Zephyr Mortgages Conveyancing Panel

FAQs : The Zephyr Mortgages Conveyancing Panel

Is there a reason why all solicitors aren't included on the Zephyr Mortgages 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 purchasing a newly constructed duplex and my conveyancer is advising me that she is duty bound to reveal incentives from the developer as her practice is on the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel. I am on a tight deadline to sign contracts and I have no desire to prolong the conveyancing. Can I insist on an exchange regardless of what my lawyer says about being on the Zephyr Mortgages panel?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Zephyr Mortgages approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Zephyr Mortgages). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
What tools are available to search for a local solicitor on the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 20 kilometers to meet the lawyer.
Feel free to make use of the find a conveyancing panel search on this page. 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 Zephyr Mortgages solicitor panel.
My conveyancers in Liverpool have advised me that no longer have my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with Zephyr Mortgages. Is it case that being on the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a prescribed period?
It very much depends from lender to lender but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the Zephyr Mortgages Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Zephyr Mortgages directly.
Is the case that all CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors on the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel?
A selection of banks and building societies now use the accreditation scheme as the starting point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to join their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.
Is it the case that all solicitor practices on the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel overseen by the SRA?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Many lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
I currently have a mortgage with with Zephyr Mortgages. Conveyancing was finalised a year ago. In the event that I decide to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform Zephyr Mortgages?
You must advise Zephyr Mortgages prior to renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Zephyr Mortgages’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will permit you to let out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Zephyr Mortgages directly. You need not do this via a Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel firm.