Barclays - Woolwich Conveyancing Panel Example Support Desk Enquires from members of the public
I am progressing with the sale of my maisonette and the EA has just called to say that the buyers are swapping conveyancer. The reason given is that Barclays - Woolwich will only engage with property lawyers on their conveyancing panel. Why would a leading lender only deal with specific law firms?
Lenders have always had panels of law firms they are willing to work with, but in the past few years big names such as HSBC, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for decades.
Lenders blame a rise in fraud as the reason for the cull – criteria have been tightened and a smaller panel should be easier to keep an eye on. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels, or have other concerns about them. Some do not even realise they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyer’s case. Your purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
I am purchasing a newly built apartment and my lawyer is informing me that she has to disclose incentives from the builder as her firm is on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel. The Estate Agents are hassling me to exchange contracts and I dont want to delay matters. Can I insist on an exchange regardless of what my lawyer says about being on the Barclays - Woolwich panel?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Barclays - Woolwich approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Barclays - Woolwich). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
How do I find a local solicitor on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 10 kilometers to meet the lawyer.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel tool on this page. 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 Barclays - Woolwich solicitor panel.
I was expecting to move into my first house last Thursday. My solicitor is on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel but has moved offices 8 weeks ago and had not advised Barclays - Woolwich of their new address. Barclays - Woolwich is now refusing to release my funds until such time as their systems are up to date with the correct details.
This is as unusual as it is unlucky. The majority of lender Terms of Conveyancing Panel Appointment specifically oblige the solicitor to inform the lender of an address change. Your solicitor needs to treat this with the utmost urgency. Do speak with or register your concern with the senior partner (assuming he or she is not your direct lawyer). Most lenders would be reasonable in this situation and expedite the resolution of this issue. It may be prudent to enlist the help of your local Barclays - Woolwich branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can help.
We expect to receive a DIP from Barclays - Woolwich this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc).Do the Barclays - Woolwich recommend a solicitor on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently
You will need to appoint solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the Barclays - Woolwich through the process.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Barclays - Woolwich. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with Barclays - Woolwich you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel.
It is not clear whether my mortgage offer obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date . I have telephoned Barclays - Woolwich on numerous occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told not they would not lend in accordance with their CML Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I simply dont know who is right
As long as the conveyancer is on the Barclays - Woolwich panel she or he must comply with the CML Handbook requirements for Barclays - Woolwich. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that Barclays - Woolwich will go ahead your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask Barclays - Woolwich to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.