Britannia Conveyancing Panel : Questions and Answers from members of the public
Is there a reason why all property lawyers are not on the Britannia Solicitor panel?
Britannia and other lenders normally restrict either the type or the number of conveyancing practices on their panel. Typical examples of such restriction(s) being that a firm must have two or more partners. In addition to restricting the type of firm, some have decided to limit the number of firms they use to represent them. You should note that Britannia have no responsibility for the quality of advice provided by any member of Britannia Conveyancer Panel. Mortgage fraud was a key driver in the rationalisation of conveyancing panels a few years ago and whilst there are differing views about the extent of solicitor involvement in some of that fraud. Statistics from the Land Registry reveal that thousands of law firms only carry out one or two conveyances a year. Those supporting conveyancing panel cuts ask why law firms should have the right to be on a Lender panel when clearly, Conveyancing is not their speciality? To put it another way; would you want a conveyancing solicitor to represent you if you were charged with a crime; probably not.
I am purchasing a newly constructed duplex and my solicitor is advising me that she has to disclose incentives from the builder as her firm is on the Britannia conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to sign contracts and I have no desire to prolong the conveyancing. is my lawyer taking the correct approach?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Britannia approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Britannia). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
I note that you have a search directory listing firms on the Britannia conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a referral fee if I retain them for my own house purchase?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Britannia conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
I am buying a semi-detached house and getting a mortgage with Britannia. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Britannia 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 Britannia conveyancing panel in your location.
We have agreed to purchase a house.One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Britannia have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Britannia your lawyer must to check the Britannia conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Britannia . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Britannia where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. Requirements for Scotland are due in the near future.
Completion of my purchase has taken place with a loan from Britannia. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about Britannia. How do I make a complaint?
Almost all banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the Britannia branches or the Customer Care Department at Britannia head office. We understand that complaints to Britannia are resolved effectively and efficiently. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is resolved you can write to the
Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.
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 booked. My conveyancing solicitor has been instructed. What should be my next step? At what point should I appy for the mortgage with Britannia?
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 Britannia 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 Britannia and pay for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they pay their solicitor to press on with searches.
