Co operative Bank Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

COMPLETIONmonitor is an online pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and professional indemnity insures. It is a unique risk management tool.

This system optimises the way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their requirements, with alerts on Co operative Bank’s changes. Notwithstanding that using the tool is not a condition for being on the Co operative Bank panel, demonstrating you can remain up to date with Co operative Bank’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your application to their lender panel and, more importantly, protect your panel status.

COMPLETIONmonitor generates real-time alerts, automatically produces COLP and CQS reports, and will enhance your firm's efficiency. It is also user friendly, cost-effective and, for many firms, leads to reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by Co operative Bank

Mortgage companies often vary their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Co operative Bank are not guidelines, they are instructions from a client. As with many clients, instructions can change - and they do change, over time:

A Timeline of Policy Changes


Since 2008, Co operative Bank has made 598 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 4.6 days. In total, 72% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Co operative Bank have been changed since 15/12/2008.

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
16.3.7b 04/04/2016 CML
Transfer of Equity
Co operative Bank plc guidance to conveyancing panel lawyers for form of attestation clause for Transfer of Equity
4.3 04/04/2016 CML
Mortage valuation
Contact details at Co operative Bank plc for approved lawyers where assumptions stated by the valuer are incorrect
5.4.4 04/04/2016 CML
Conveyancing Searches: Environmental Searches
Co operative Bank plc panel lawyers requirement as to whether they want receive environmental or contaminated land reports
6.10.2 04/04/2016 CML
Conveyancing : retenions by mortgage company
Co operative Bank plc clarification to panel lawyers clarification as to who they release retentions (or instalments of the advance) to
6.1.3 04/04/2016 CML
Mortgage offer not taken up
Contact details at Co operative Bank plc for conveyancing panel lawyers where for reporting purposes if borrower is not taking up the mortgage offer
6.5.1 04/04/2016 CML
Vacant Possession on Completion
Contact details at Co operative Bank plc for conveyancing panel lawyers were vacant possession is not being given.
6.6.2 04/04/2016 CML
Buy to Let Conveyancing
Contact details at Co operative Bank plc for approved lawyers when law firm does not have details of current letting or letting to take place at completion.
6.7.3 04/04/2016 CML
New Build Conveyancing
Co operative Bank plc approved conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : should any assignments of building standards indemnity schemes be sent to Co operative Bank plc
6.14.1c 01/12/2014 CML
buildings insurance total sum insured calculation
5.20.4 08/07/2013 CML
Green Deal Plans
Co operative Bank plc requirements for conveyancing panel/approved lawyers as to whether Co operative Bank plc need to be notified/reported as to details of any existing Green Deal Plan(s) on a property

Last update 20/01/2019

Common questions asked concerning the Co operative Bank Solicitor Panel from members of the public

I need to swap lawyers as my lawyer is not on the Co operative Bank panel of conveyancing solicitors. Is it advisable to appoint a new law firm?
If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to do anything for you and have just received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer you're considering.
Expecting to complete my purchase 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 Co operative Bank. What risks do Co operative Bank expect the insurance to cover?
Any lawyer on the Co operative 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 Co operative Bank’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on Co operative Bank). Being on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these requirements.
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Leeds on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the conveyancing panel for Co operative Bank ?
We are not in the business of recommending one firm above another as the right firm for you depends on where your priorities lie. For example you may require a local firm with local knowledge or you might be looking for the low cost conveyancing. Before you appoint your lawyer we advise you to speak to two or three of the firms listed to gain comfort as to which one is right for you..
I am purchasing a right to buy flat and getting a mortgage with Co operative Bank. 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 Co operative Bank 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 Co operative Bank conveyancing panel in your location.
We have agreed to purchase a house.One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Co operative Bank be concerned
As you are obtaining a mortgage with Co operative Bank your lawyer must to check the Co operative Bank conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Co operative Bank . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Co operative Bank where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. The CML are developing guidance for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
I was thinking of purchasing my friend’s property. Assuming we can agree a figure, what’s the best way to proceed? I hope to get a mortgage with Co operative Bank. Is there anyway to cut out the solicitors to save on the costs? My father said that years ago it was possible to take the documents into the local Land Registry office and they did the rest
If you are getting a mortgage with Co operative Bank involved you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel. We would not encourage you to both use the same solicitors' firm. There are clear conflict of interest issues and it's not going to make a huge difference to the speed of the overall process. So as not to hold things us you should pass on your solicitors details to Co operative Bank. Feel free to use our search tool to look for a licensed conveyancer or solicitor on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel.
We were going to get a DIP from Co operative Bank this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc).Do the Co operative Bank recommend a solicitor on the Co operative Bank 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 Co operative Bank conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the Co operative Bank through the process.