FAQs for the Accord Mortgages Conveyancing Panel from members of the public
Is the fact that my conveyancer is not identified on the Accord Mortgages Conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the quality of her work?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. 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 Accord Mortgages.
We are due to exchange on the purchase a house but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have agreed compensation from the seller of £3k approx by way of a reduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process but my mortgage company Accord Mortgages will not agree to this. Why was Accord Mortgages even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Accord Mortgages of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to Accord Mortgages then they would have to discontinue acting for you and Accord Mortgages.
How do I find a local solicitor on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 25 miles to meet the solicitor.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel search on this website. 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 Accord Mortgages solicitor panel.
My solicitors in London have advised me that no longer have my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with Accord Mortgages. Is it case that being on the Accord 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 Accord Mortgages Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Accord Mortgages directly.
I am due to exchange contracts on my apartment. I had a double glazing fitted in month 2010 but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s mortgage company, Accord Mortgages are being difficult. The solicitor who is on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel is saying indemnity insurance will be fine but Accord Mortgages are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do Accord Mortgages have a conveyancing panel of they don’t accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that Accord Mortgages have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Accord Mortgages may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing correctly and safely installed. It merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.
Intending to buy a house with a mortgage with Accord Mortgages. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel
My ex -wife’s name is on the Accord Mortgages mortgage of my property but not on the land registry. The apartment was transferred to me on our divorce many years ago by way of a sealed court order. Does my ex still have a say on the sale even though the land registry showing the property in my name alone? Will I be required to take her name of the Accord Mortgages mortgage in order to sell?
As regards the Accord Mortgages mortgage, it is unusual that your ex-wife’s name remains on the mortgage but not on the title. It is conceivable that this is an oversight on the part of your conveyancers to ensure that her name was removed or even an administrative error on the part of Accord Mortgages in failing to update their data. In any event, it should cause difficulty providing her name no longer appears on the Land Registry title and you have a court order ordering that the property is transferred to you.