Accord Buy to Let Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for property lawyers. Supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and PI insurers such as AmTrust. COMPLETIONmonitor is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This system assists the way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their requirements, with alerts on Accord Buy to Let’s changes. While using the tool is not a condition for being on the Accord Buy to Let panel, demonstrating you can remain up to date with Accord Buy to Let’s Handbook requirements is an excellent support to your panel application and, more importantly, protect your panel status.

The software creates real-time alerts, automatically produces COLP and CQS reports, and will improve your firm's efficiency. It is also simply to use, cost-effective and, for many firms, leads to reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by Accord Buy to Let

Lenders often change their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Accord Buy to Let are not guidelines, they are instructions from a client. As with many clients, instructions can change - and they do change, frequently:

A Timeline of Policy Changes


Since 2008, Accord Buy to Let has made 117 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 23.3 days. In total, 57% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Accord Buy to Let have been changed since 15/12/2008.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
16.5.2 07/04/2017 CML
Deed of Variation
Contact details at Accord Buy to Let for approved lawyers for confirming proposed deed of variation or agreement will not adversely affect Accord Buy to Let
10.2a 01/12/2014 CML
Mortgage Advance and Certificate of Title
Do Accord Buy to Let send the mortgage advance electronically or by cheque?
16.3.7b 01/12/2014 CML
Transfer of Equity
Accord Buy to Let guidance to approved lawyers for form of attestation clause for Transfer of Equity
16.4.1 01/12/2014 CML
Consent to Let
Contact details at Accord Buy to Let for consent to let.
5.14.1 01/12/2014 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing
Accord Buy to Let approved lawyers leasehold conveyancing requirements : minimum unexpired lease term
5.10.1 01/12/2014 CML
Properties owned for less than 6 months
Contact details at Accord Buy to Let for approved lawyers where the seller has owned the property for less than 6 months:.
6.12.1 01/12/2014 CML
Pre-emption Rights, Options and Pre-emption Rights
Contact details at Accord Buy to Let for approved lawyers to used where Accord Buy to Let needs to be notified where property is affected by pre-emption rights, resale restrictions, options etc .
6.13.1 01/12/2014 CML
Conveyancing Searches: Improvement or Repair Grants
Contact details at Accord Buy to Let for conveyancing panel lawyers to used where Accord Buy to Let needs to be notified where property is affected by improvement/repair grant which will not be discharged.
6.3.1 01/12/2014 CML
Purchase Price
Contact details at Accord Buy to Let for approved lawyers to used where there are any issues relating to purchase price.
6.4.5 01/12/2014 CML
Full monies through the firm's account
Contact details at Accord Buy to Let for approved lawyers were the law firm will not have control over the payment of all the purchase money.

Last update 11/07/2019

FAQs for the Accord Buy to Let Solicitor Panel from members of the public

What is the rationale as to why all UK lawyers aren't included on the Accord Buy to Let Solicitor panel?
As unjust as it may seem for Accord Buy to Let to restrict who can act for them from the public’s or solicitor’s point of view, the other side of the coin is that the lenders are becoming ever more anxious and feel the necessary need to protect them from mortgage fraud and other illegal activities. As a result of this concern Accord Buy to Let have restricted their conveyancing panel to a size that they are happy to control. The Accord Buy to Let solicitor panel is not the most exclusive of all lenders
I am due to move into my new home next Tuesday. My conveyancing lawyer has asked me to provide him with a copy of the building insurance for the house as he says that he has to check this in has capacity as lawyer for Accord Buy to Let. What risks do Accord Buy to Let expect the insurance to cover?
Any lawyer on the Accord Buy to Let conveyancing panel would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in Accord Buy to Let’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on Accord Buy to Let). Being on the Accord Buy to Let conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these instructions.
I am looking to buy a house and need a conveyancing solicitor in London who is on the Accord Buy to Let approved. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a firm?
Our service is a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Accord Buy to Let . We don’t recommend any particular firm.
I am purchasing a right to buy flat and getting a mortgage with Accord Buy to Let. How practical is it for me to do the conveyancing?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Accord Buy to Let conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to made in you doing to conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on the Accord Buy to Let conveyancing panel in your location.
We have agreed to purchase a house.One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Accord Buy to Let be concerned
As you are obtaining a mortgage with Accord Buy to Let your lawyer must to check the Accord Buy to Let conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Accord Buy to Let . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Accord Buy to Let where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. The CML are developing guidance for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Can I register a complaint to Accord Buy to Let about the lawyers being on the Accord Buy to Let conveyancing panel?
There is little point in complaining directly to Accord Buy to Let. Every solicitor firm 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.

After shopping around on the internet I have found a solicitor having made sure that they are on the Accord Buy to Let conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property? Or I've read lots of mortgage guides,I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my solicitor - who is on the Accord Buy to Let conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Accord Buy to Let will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Accord Buy to Let will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller. or Your lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Accord Buy to Let you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.