Common questions asked concerning the RBS - Direct Line Conveyancing Panel from members of the public
A solicitor my husband and I had intended to instruct on a remortgage said he will levy higher legal fees if my lender is due to their unusual legal requirements. Will I regret using RBS - Direct Line? Any comments will be appreciated
RBS - Direct Line conveyancing requirements for their panel are no better or no more complicated than most lenders.
It is the case now the CML Handbook, the "bible" used by solicitors to establish lender requirements, is different for each lender.
It is not clear if your lawyer is on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel. If they are not, this does add further risk of delay as RBS - Direct Line will appoint their own solicitors to look after their interest.
Please help. My conveyancer is advising me that she is duty-bound to conduct a Local Authority search because the firm are on the RBS - Direct Line solicitor panel. The searches cost a lot of money. Can this be avoided?
Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. As you are taking a mortgage with RBS - Direct Line your lawyer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of RBS - Direct Line’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated RBS - Direct Line. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
Do all the licensed conveyancers and solicitor practices listed on your search have online case tracking as I was under the impression that this was a precondition of being on the RBS - Direct Line solicitor panel?
No. There is no CML Part 2 or Building Society Association requirement relating to online case tracking. Some law firms operate such technology and some don't.
I am buying a new build flat and getting a mortgage with RBS - Direct Line. Can I do my own conveyancing?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the RBS - Direct Line 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 RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel in your location.
We have agreed a price on a apartment I spoke to a lawyer recommended by my uncle and he suggested instructing a property lawyers approved by RBS - Direct Line. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked RBS - Direct Line if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. RBS - Direct Line 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 RBS - Direct Line 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Ask RBS - Direct Line for conveyancing panel firms in your area. Lenders have them all over the country. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the RBS - Direct Line 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 RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet RBS - Direct Line’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.
Can I register a complaint to RBS - Direct Line about the lawyers being on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel?
There is little point in complaining directly to RBS - Direct Line. All solicitors and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. Usually one can find this information from the solicitor’s or conveyancer’s website or ask at their office. They must tell you about it if you ask.
The Legal Ombudsman will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the solicitor. It can also advise you how to complain.
If a licensed conveyancer does not have a complaints procedure or will not tell you about it, contact the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the conveyancer. Please see below for more information.
My offer was accepted on an apartment on the 5th January 2014, valuation was booked 3 days after, all came back fine. Property lawyer appointed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to RBS - Direct Line and chasing them on my offer I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?
A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for RBS - Direct Line to deal with your lawyers application to be on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitors will be accepted.