Common questions asked concerning the Birmingham Bank Solicitor Panel from members of the public
My financial adviser has informed me that I have to pay Birmingham Bank fees should I instruct my family lawyer. How good are the Birmingham Bank conveyancing panel solicitors? I dont care which law firm I use provided that they are good and not exorbitantly priced. Would you recommend a specific law firm on the Birmingham Bank panel?
Birmingham Bank’s conveyancing panel is substantial so it would be advisable to check with the firms you are getting quotes from whether they are on it. You can search by postcode on the search tool on this site to find solicitors that Birmingham Bank will allow to act for them.
I am due to move into my new home next Thursday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as he says that he has to check this in has capacity as lawyer for Birmingham Bank. What risks do Birmingham Bank expect the insurance to cover?
Any lawyer on the Birmingham Bank 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 Birmingham Bank’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on Birmingham Bank). Being on the Birmingham Bank conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these requirements.
I am buying a flat and require a conveyancing solicitor in who is on the Birmingham Bank solicitor. Can you recommend a local solicitor?
Our service is a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Birmingham Bank . We don’t recommend any particular firm.
My lawyers in Liverpool have advised me that no longer have my conveyancing file. At the time of my purchase I took out a mortgage with Birmingham Bank. Is it case that being on the Birmingham Bank conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a number of years?
Different lenders have different requirements but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the Birmingham Bank Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Birmingham Bank directly.
Is it the case that all solicitor firms on the Birmingham Bank conveyancing panel overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Birmingham Bank conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the SRA. 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 previously instructed online solicitors based in Manchester who are on the Birmingham Bank solicitor panel. They have just invoiced me a separate fee of £175 for dealing with the Birmingham Bank mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee set by Birmingham Bank?
Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your solicitors can charge a fee for this. This fee is not set by Birmingham Bank but by your lawyers. Some firms on the Birmingham Bank will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee but plenty of firms include it on their overall fee.
My ex -wife’s name is on the Birmingham 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 Birmingham Bank mortgage in order to sell?
In terms of the Birmingham 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 Birmingham 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.