Co operative Bank Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

COMPLETIONmonitor is an online pre- and post-completion checklist for property lawyers. Supported by the CML and professional indemnity insures. It is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This system facilitates the way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their requirements, with notifications given on Co operative Bank’s changes. While using this technology is not a condition for acceptance on the Co operative Bank panel, demonstrating you can stay up to date with Co operative Bank’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your panel application and, more importantly, protect your firm’s panel standing.

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

Find a Law Firm approved by Co operative Bank

Banks and building societies 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, frequently:

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.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
9.1 17/07/2016 CML
Defective Title Insurance
Co operative Bank plc clarification to panel lawyers clarification as to whether Co operative Bank plc need to be sent the indemnity insurance policy
Adverse Possession Indemnity Insurance Possessory Title Indemnity Insurance Missing Deeds Indemnity Insurance Defective Title Indemnity Insurance
1.11a 04/04/2016 CML
General Mortgage Instructions
Contact details at Co operative Bank plc for approved lawyers to obtain mortgage documentation
14.2.1 04/04/2016 CML
Post Completion Conveyancing
Where should approved lawyersfor Co operative Bank plc send the title deeds and documents following completion?
16.4.1 04/04/2016 CML
Consent to Let
Contact details at Co operative Bank plc for consent to let.
5.16.2 04/04/2016 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing : Management Company
Contact details at Co operative Bank plc for approved lawyers if unable to certify search entry on bankruptcy search does not relate to borrower.
5.19.1 04/04/2016 CML
Shared Ownership and Shared Equity
Contact details at Co operative Bank plc for conveyancing panel lawyers for lending on affordable housing, shared equity and shared ownership and where relevant Co operative Bank plc requirements.
6.6.1 04/04/2016 CML
Buy to Let Conveyancing
Contact details at Co operative Bank plc for conveyancing panel lawyers were the subject property is let/to be let and to check Co operative Bank plc lend on buy-to-let.
5.5.1b 01/12/2014 CML
conveyancing requirements in terms of time for building regulation consents
6.14.4 01/12/2014 CML
sending a copy of the buildings insurance policy and last premium
3.1.5 01/12/2014 CML
ID Documentation
Co operative Bank plc approved lawyers requirements re ID Documentation: Further acceptable documents (if any)

Last update 15/01/2020

Co operative Bank Conveyancing Panel : Questions and Answers from members of the public

I am getting a offer of a mortgage from Co operative Bank. I hope to employ the services of a Licensed Conveyancer. Does the Co operative Bank Conveyancing panel include Licensed Conveyancers
Co operative Bank’s approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders represented by the CML or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the CLC.
We are only a couple days away from an exchange and my parents having transferred 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 Co operative Bank. I am advised that, being on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform Co operative Bank if the balance of the mortgage advance is not just from me. I disclosed to the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the mortgage so is it really necessary for this now to be an issue?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with Co operative Bank 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 Co operative Bank if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Co operative Bank approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the Co operative Bank conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the Co operative Bank solicitor panel.
My aunt passed away last year and as sole heir and executor was left the property. The house had a relatively small loan left on it of around £4500. I want to transfer the title deeds into my name whilst I re-mortgage to Co operative Bank , pay off the mortgage etc. Is this possible?
If you intend to re-mortgage then Co operative Bank will insist on your using a conveyancer on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your Co operative Bank conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the Co operative Bank mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.
Can I be sure that the solicitor on the Co operative Bank panel is any good?
obtaining recommendations is a good starting point. Before you go ahead check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always advocate that you speak with the lawyer carrying out your conveyancing
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 are dependent on web based calculators (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.
I have had an offer accepted on a apartment I spoke to a conveyancer previously used by my mum and he suggested instructing a solicitor approved by Co operative Bank. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked Co operative Bank if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. Co operative Bank pointed out that either firm can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of Co operative Bank 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Ask Co operative Bank for conveyancing panel firms in your area. Most banks have lawyers on their panel throughout the UK. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel based on location. If you particularly like the sound of one of the local lawyers that you have spoken to ask them if they would go onto Co operative Bank conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet Co operative Bank’s requirements it can be a very simple job for the solicitor. Other stuff will be going on in parallel (as you are at an early stage) so it may not delay matters.