Examples of recent questions relating to the Bradford & Bingley Solicitor Panel from members of the public
I appointed a solicitor to work on my purchase three weeks ago having applied for a mortgage with Bradford & Bingley. The solicitors assured me that they are on Bradford & Bingley conveyancing panel and provided me their panel number. Bradford & Bingley then ,via my broker advised that their panel number was dormant and would need to be reactivated. What do I do from here? Do I instruct a different law firm currently on the conveyancing panel for Bradford & Bingley?
The answer depends on whether you still have confidence in the said solicitors and how long it will take for the firm to be reinstated on the Bradford & Bingley conveyancing panel You may wish to enlist the help of your broker to check with the Bradford & Bingley as to the time frame to get your lawyer reinstated on the panel once again.
We are nearing an exchange and my mum and dad having sent the 10% deposit to my lawyer. I am now advised that as the deposit has not come from me my lawyer needs to disclose this to my lender Bradford & Bingley. Apparently, being on the Bradford & Bingley conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform Bradford & Bingley if the balance of the mortgage advance is coming from anyone other than me. I informed the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the mortgage so is it really necessary for him to raise this?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with Bradford & Bingley to make sure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only report this to Bradford & Bingley if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
Are the lawyers identified as being on the Bradford & Bingley conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by Bradford & Bingley?
The firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Bradford & Bingley conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Bradford & Bingley directly.
I was scheduled to complete on my dream home two days ago. My lawyer’s firm is on the Bradford & Bingley conveyancing panel but has changed address 8 weeks ago and had not advised Bradford & Bingley of their new address. Bradford & Bingley is now refusing to release my funds until such time as their systems are up to date with the correct details.
This is a rare situation indeed. Most 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 Bradford & Bingley branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can help.
I had instructed online conveyancers based in London who are on the Bradford & Bingley solicitor panel. They are now charging me a separate fee of £175 for the legal aspects of the Bradford & Bingley mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set by Bradford & Bingley?
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 Bradford & Bingley but by your lawyers. Some firms on the Bradford & Bingley will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.
Two weeks ago we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Bradford & Bingley. Solicitors have been appointed? How long does it take for Bradford & Bingley to send the offer to our conveyancer
Some lenders take longer than others. Have Bradford & Bingley done the survey? Have you advised Bradford & Bingley as your lawyers details and checked that your lawyer is on the Bradford & Bingley conveyancing panel? sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat. I have a mortgage agreed with Bradford & Bingley. Conveyancing is new to me. 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 Bradford & Bingley you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Bradford & Bingley conveyancing panel.