ASTRA mortgages Solicitor Panel Sample Enquires to our Call Center from members of the public
The conveyancer my husband and I wanted to use for conveyancing on a purchase said he will levy higher legal fees if my mortgage is with ASTRA mortgages because of their unusual legal requirements. Will I regret using ASTRA mortgages? Is ASTRA mortgages conveyancing so much more difficult?
ASTRA mortgages conveyancing requirements for their panel are no better or no more complicated than most lenders.
It is the case now the CML Handbook, the "bible" used by solicitors to establish lender requirements, is different for each lender.
It is not clear if your lawyer is on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel. If they are not, this does add further risk of delay as ASTRA mortgages will appoint their own solicitors to look after their interest.
Expecting to complete my purchase next Monday. My conveyancing lawyer has asked me to provide him with a copy of the building insurance for the house as as he informs me that he is duty bound to validate that it is in order for ASTRA mortgages. What does the insurance need to cover?
All property lawyers on the ASTRA mortgages 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 ASTRA mortgages’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on ASTRA mortgages). Being on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these requirements.
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Manchester on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel. It would be a lot more helpful if you could recommend a specific firm on the ASTRA mortgages approved panel?
We are not in the business of recommending one firm above another as the right firm for you depends on where your priorities lie. For example you may require a local firm with local knowledge or you might be looking for the low cost conveyancing. We recommend that you speak to 3 or 4 lawyers listed before you make your choice..
I am purchasing a semi-detached house and getting a mortgage with ASTRA mortgages. Can I do my own conveyancing?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the ASTRA mortgages 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 ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel in your location.
My brother and I have had an offer accepted on a house I spoke to a lawyer recommended by my brother and he advised instructing a law firm approved by ASTRA mortgages. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked ASTRA mortgages if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. ASTRA mortgages suggested that either firm can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of ASTRA mortgages 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Ask ASTRA mortgages for conveyancing panel firms in your area. Lenders have them all over the country. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel based on location. If you particularly like the sound of one of the local lawyers that you have spoken to ask them if they would go onto ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet ASTRA mortgages’s requirements it can be a very simple job for the solicitor. Other stuff will be going on in parallel (as you are at an early stage) so it may not delay matters.
I have instructed a lawyer having checked that they are on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
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Having digested plenty 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 ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
ASTRA mortgages will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually ASTRA mortgages 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.
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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 ASTRA mortgages you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.
My offer on house has been accepted, the seller does however have a dependent purchase. The vendors have offered on somewhere, but not been accepted yet, and have viewings of other properties in the pipeline. My conveyancing solicitor has been instructed. What should be my next step? At what point should I appy for the mortgage with ASTRA mortgages?
It is usual to have concerns where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket too early (mortgage application is approx £1k, then survey/valuation, conveyancing search costs, etc). First you should check that your solicitor is on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel. As to the next stages this very much depends on the circumstances of your case, desire for this property and on the state of the market. In a hot mortgage some buyers would pally for the mortgage with ASTRA mortgages and pay for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they pay their solicitor to press on with searches.