FAQs for the RBS - Direct Line Solicitor Panel
from members of the public
My husband and I are first time buyers. Within the last couple of days our property lawyer has forwarded the sale agreement to sign with a detailed report with the expectation that exchange is imminent. RBS - Direct Line have this afternoon contacted us to advise us that there is now an issue as our conveyancer is not on their approved list of lawyers. What do we do from here?
When purchasing a property with the benefit of a mortgage it is usual for the purchaser's solicitors to also act for the purchaser's lender.
In order to act for a bank or building society a law firm has to be on that lender's conveyancing panel. An application has to be made by the law firm to the lender to become a member of the lender's panel and there are increasingly strict criteria which the firm has to satisfy and indeed some lenders now require their panel members to be part of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Accreditation Scheme.
Your property lawyers should contact RBS - Direct Line and see if they can apply for membership of the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel, but if that is not viable RBS - Direct Line will instruct their own solicitors to act. You don't have to instruct a firm on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel and you may continue to use your own solicitors, in which case it will likely add costs, and it will likely delay the transaction as you are adding another lawyer into the mix.
My son-in-law is about to exchange on a house that has just been built with a home loan from RBS - Direct Line. His conveyancer has advised him of a delay in receiving the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. Who needs to receive the form?
The form is intended to provide information to the main parties engaged in the purchase. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the surveyor when requested.
The Developer will be required to start the process by downloading the form and completing it.
The form will therefore need to be available for the valuer at the time of his or her site visit. The form should be sent to the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Manchester on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel. It would be a lot more helpful if you could recommend a specific firm on the conveyancing panel for RBS - Direct Line ?
We do not recommend specific firms 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. We recommend that you speak to 3 or 4 lawyers listed before you make your choice..
We're in London, First time buyers purchasing with a mortgage (lender is RBS - Direct Line , but our solicitor is on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancer should guarantee a time-frame for your conveyancing due to third parties outside of our control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain
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 RBS - Direct Line be concerned
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with RBS - Direct Line your lawyer must to check the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for RBS - Direct Line . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to RBS - Direct Line 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'm in the throws of viewing flats and now considering a potential offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I I am planning to take a mortgage with RBS - Direct Line
It would be sensible to have your start your search soon rather than later. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on the the estate agent. As you are getting a mortgage with RBS - Direct Line , ask your prospective lawyers check they are on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
I am selling my house. I had a double glazing fitted in month 8 but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My buyer's lender, RBS - Direct Line are being problematic. The solicitor who is on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel is saying indemnity insurance will be fine but RBS - Direct Line are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do RBS - Direct Line have a conveyancing panel of they don’t accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that RBS - Direct Line have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why RBS - Direct Line may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing correctly and safely installed. It merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.
