Examples of recent questions relating to the Ahli United Bank Conveyancing Panel from members of the public
I would like to know the reason why all solicitors aren't included on the Ahli United Bank Solicitor panel?
As unjust as it may seem for Ahli United Bank 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 Ahli United Bank have restricted their panel of approved conveyancing lawyers to a size that they are happy to control. The Ahli United Bank solicitor panel is not the most restricted
Our conveyancer has uncovered a legal deficiency with the lease for the flat we are purchasing. The seller’s lawyers have suggested title insurance as a solution. We are content with insurance and will pay for it. Our lawyer says that as he is on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel he must ensure that the lender is happy with this solution. Are we the client or is Ahli United Bank?
Just because you have a mortgage offer from Ahli United Bank does not mean to say that the property will be meet their requirements for the purposes of a mortgage. Your lawyer has to ensure that the lease has to comply with the CML Handbook Requirements. You and Ahli United Bank are the client. The appropriate lender requirements must be adhered to by the Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel who has to balance acting for you and Ahli United Bank
I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Ahli United Bank approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the Ahli United Bank solicitor panel.
Can you clarify what the consequences are if my lawyer’s firm is expelled from the Ahli United Bank Conveyancing panel before the completion date?
The first thing to point out is that, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit at a cost.
is it true that all solicitor practices on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel overseen by the SRA?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Ahli United Bank 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 have paid off my mortgage with Ahli United Bank. I assume I don't need a solicitor on the Ahli United Bank panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
If you have finished paying off your Ahli United Bank 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 Ahli United Bank mortgage from the register. Ahli United Bank,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 Ahli United Bank has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
the Ahli United Bank has instructed the Land Registry to do so
The Land Registry will send you a letter confirming that your Ahli United Bank mortgage has been paid off.
Ahli United Bank 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 Ahli United Bank or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Ahli United Bank will tell you what documents they want. Ahli United Bank 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. Ahli United Bank 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.
