ASTRA mortgages Conveyancing Panel : Questions and Answers from members of the public
I would like to know the reason why all UK lawyers are not on the ASTRA mortgages Solicitor panel?
Lenders point to the fact that solicitor-led fraud is thought to be responsible for millions of pounds of fraud every year. The removal of law firms off of lender panels started with the rise in mortgage fraud, which prompted a thematic review by the Financial Services Authority in 2011. Its outcome included recommendations for lenders to review their conveyancing panels, which kicked off a major policy change in the sector. It led to banks and building societies purging less reputable firms off their books
I am buying a newly built duplex and my conveyancer is informing me that she is duty bound to disclose incentives from the developer as her practice is on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel. I am on a tight deadline to exchange contracts and I would rather not delay matters. Is my lawyer right?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the ASTRA mortgages approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on ASTRA mortgages). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Do I have to visit the offices of the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the legal charge? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Leeds
so that I can pop in to their offices when needed.
Most conveyancing panel lawyers for ASTRA mortgages undertake all of the work via the post, internet or over the phone. This means that they can undertake your Conveyancing Transaction no matter where you live in England or Wales. However you should check if you can still book an appointment to go into appointed conveyancing lawyer if you prefer.
We're in Wales, First timers purchasing with a mortgage (lender is ASTRA mortgages , but our lawyer is on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancer should guarantee a time-frame for your conveyancing due to third parties outside of our control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain
Is it the case that all conveyancing solicitors on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel work on a no move no charge basis?
There is generally no requirements by lenders for their firms to operate on a no-sale-no-fee basis. There a small number of lenders who operate a very restricted conveyancing panel managed by a third party company (often termed in the industry as a ‘gatekeeper’). That third party may impose certain conditions such as non-sale-no fee on the panel firms. If you require this as a condition of your conveyancing then you should check with the conveyancing firm that this is part of their service
I have today made my last payment due on mortgage with ASTRA mortgages. I assume I don't need a solicitor on the ASTRA mortgages panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
If you have finished paying off your ASTRA mortgages 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 ASTRA mortgages mortgage from the register. ASTRA mortgages,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 ASTRA mortgages has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
the ASTRA mortgages has instructed the Land Registry to do so
The Land Registry will send you a letter confirming that your ASTRA mortgages mortgage has been paid off.
Completion of my purchase has taken place with a loan from ASTRA mortgages. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about ASTRA mortgages. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
All lenders have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the ASTRA mortgages branches or the Customer Care Team at ASTRA mortgages head office. In most cases complaints to ASTRA mortgages are sorted out effectively and efficiently. If you feel that the matter is not resolved you can write to the
Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.
