Common questions asked concerning the Aldermore Bank Solicitor Panel from members of the public
On what basis could a firm of solicitors be excluded from the Aldermore Bank approved conveyancing panel?
A survey recently commissioned by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority found that three quarters of solicitor practices had been excluded from a lender panel. The most common reasons in order are :
- lack of transactions
- the lawyer is a sole practitioner
- as part of the HSBC panel reduction
- regulatory contact by SRA
- accidental removal. We are not aware of the specific or common criteria for removal by Aldermore Bank
My conveyancer has identified a difference when comparing the information in Aldermore Bank’s valuation report and what is in the legal papers for the property. My lawyer informs me that as he is on the Aldermore Bank conveyancing panel he is obliged to ensure that the bank is happy with this discrepancy and is content go ahead. Is my conveyancer’s stance legitimate?
A precondition to being on the Aldermore Bank approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Aldermore Bank) which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
Having used your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Aldermore Bank conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Aldermore 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 Aldermore 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 Aldermore Bank solicitor panel.
I am purchasing a semi-detached house and getting a mortgage with Aldermore Bank. 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 Aldermore Bank 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 Aldermore Bank conveyancing panel in your location.
Is there a list of Aldermore Bank panel conveyancers on the CML Handbook Website?
No. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few lenders make their panel listings available online.
My ex -wife’s name is on the Aldermore Bank 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 Aldermore Bank mortgage in order to sell?
In terms of the Aldermore Bank 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 Aldermore Bank 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.
Aldermore 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 Aldermore Bank or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Aldermore Bank will tell you what documents they want. Aldermore 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. Aldermore 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.
