RBS- First Active Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for property lawyers. Supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and professional indemnity insures. COMPLETIONmonitor is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This system is the only way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their requirements, with notifications given on RBS- First Active’s changes. Even though utilising this technology is not a condition for being on the RBS- First Active panel, demonstrating you can stay up to date with RBS- First Active’s Handbook requirements is an excellent support to your application to their lender panel and, more importantly, protect your panel standing.

COMPLETIONmonitor generates real-time alerts, automatically produces regulatory and CQS reports, and will enhance your firm's efficiency. It is also simply to use, cost-effective and, for many firms, results in reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by RBS- First Active

Mortgage companies frequently change their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from RBS- First Active 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, RBS- First Active has made 175 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 15.6 days. In total, 49% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for RBS- First Active have been changed since 15/12/2008.

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
16.1.1 28/12/2017 CML
Title Documents
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc First Active details for requesting Title Documentation
5.7.1b 02/12/2016 CML
Freehold Flats
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc First Active approved lawyers clarification as to whether they lend on freehold flats
Flying Freehold Indemnity Insurance
5.19.1 19/07/2016 CML
Shared Ownership and Shared Equity
Contact details at The Royal Bank of Scotland plc First Active for approved lawyers for lending on affordable housing, shared equity and shared ownership and where relevant The Royal Bank of Scotland plc First Active requirements.
16.3.1 31/05/2016 CML
Transfer of Equity
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc First Active clarification as to whether they have a standard form of Transfer of Equity/Deed of Covenant?
6.7.1 17/11/2015 CML
New Build Conveyancing
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc First Active panel conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes
6.14.1 04/12/2014 CML
Building Insurance
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc First Active approved lawyers additional requirements concerning building insurance
6.14.1a 01/12/2014 CML
contact point if property is not insured in accordance with lender requirement
6.14.1d 01/12/2014 CML
maximum excess re building insurance
6.14.3 01/12/2014 CML
notification of non-renewal/cancellation for buildings insurance policy
6.14.4 01/12/2014 CML
sending a copy of the buildings insurance policy and last premium

Last update 09/01/2019

Examples of recent questions relating to the RBS- First Active Solicitor Panel from members of the public

My Conveyancer is not listed on the RBS- First Active Solicitor Panel. Can I still continue with my family solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the RBS- First Active panel of approved conveyancing solicitors?
You have a number of options available to you here:
  1. Complete the purchase with your existing lawyers but RBS- First Active will need to instruct a lawyer on the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel. This will result in additional cost and potential delay.
  2. Get a new solicitor to act in the purchase, obviously checking they are on the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel.
  3. Convince your lawyer to do everything within their powers to join the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel
We are approaching 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 make a notification to my lender RBS- First Active. Apparently, being on the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform RBS- First Active if the balance of the mortgage advance is coming from anyone other than me. I disclosed to the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the home loan so is it really necessary for him to raise this?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with RBS- First Active 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 RBS- First Active if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
Whilst your website is a good idea there are many lawyers listed near Manchester on the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the RBS- First Active approved panel?
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..
My solicitors in Birmingham have advised me that they can not locate my conveyancing file. At the time of my purchase I took out a mortgage with RBS- First Active. Is it case that being on the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a prescribed period?
It very much depends from lender to lender but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the RBS- First Active Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting RBS- First Active directly.
We expect to receive a DIP from RBS- First Active 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 RBS- First Active recommend a solicitor on the RBS- First Active 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 RBS- First Active conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the RBS- First Active through the process.
I have a mortgage with RBS- First Active. My godfather retired last week and wants to pay off my mortgage. After RBS- First Active is paid, I want to transfer the property to my mother's name; How long will it roughly take? Do we need two separate solicitors on the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel? I do not intend to live at the property once the RBS- First Active mortgage is discharged.
You will need a solicitor but they need not be on the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel. You will need a solicitor to draw up the transfer and to deal with the Land Registry formalities. The only thing you need to consider is that by selling at an undervalue so ask your lawyer about the implications. There could be an inheritance tax issue if you die within 7 years of this. As the property is your main residence you need not pay CGT but you should speak with your accountants in any event.
Sometime soon me and my wife are acquiring a penthouse in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon are about to begiven the go-ahead. My mothersuggested that we enquire that the solicitor in Hendon is on the RBS- First Active solicitors panel. Is this right?
Not all Hendon conveyancing solicitors are on the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel. Use the above search tool to locate a Hendon conveyancing firm on the on the RBS- First Active solicitors pane.