FAQs : The Fleet Mortgages Conveyancing Panel from members of the public
My Conveyancer is not on the Fleet Mortgages Conveyancing Panel. Is it possible for me to use my preferred solicitor notwithstanding that they are excluded from the Fleet Mortgages panel of approved conveyancing solicitors?
You will need to have a conveyancer complete the legal work required when you take out a Fleet Mortgages mortgage to buy your property. They’ll carry out all the necessary legal checks on the property, make sure that you’re properly registered as the owner and ensure that all the necessary mortgage documentation is in place. You can instruct a conveyancing firm of your choice. However, if the firm selected is not a member of the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel additional costs will be incurred as separate legal representation will be required by Fleet Mortgages. Conveyancing panel applications can be submitted, so if your conveyancer has not previously applied for membership they can do so.
Can you clarify something for me?. My lawyer is not to blame but, the conveyancing for my house purchase has been going on for months. The Local Authority Search from Fleet Mortgages was issued random date and we have agreed a date for me to move into the property on Tues etc. My solicitor says that as she is on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel she needs to reorder the searches as they are no longer acceptable to the lender.
A precondition to being on the Fleet Mortgages approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Fleet Mortgages)which states that a local authority search be not more than half a year old. You should nevertheless ask your lawyer to check whether something called ‘search validation’ indemnity insurance is acceptable to Fleet Mortgages.
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Manchester on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel. It would be a lot more helpful if you could recommend a specific firm on the Fleet Mortgages 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..
The lawyers that just started acting on my house acquisition in Manchester has suddenly shut down. I chose them because I had to have a lawyer on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel and my preferred lawyer was not. I paid them £200 on account. What do I do now?
If you have an estate agent involved then let them know immediately so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to the problems encountered. Most sellers would be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You should appoint new lawyers that are on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new solicitors may be able to help
My fiance and I are spending time looking at houses and now considering a potential offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I I am planning to take a mortgage with Fleet Mortgages
It would be sensible to have your start your search soon rather than later. Once you decide who you want to use 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 Fleet Mortgages , make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Fleet Mortgages. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with Fleet Mortgages you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel.
After shopping around on the internet I have found a solicitor having checked that they are on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
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I've read lots of mortgage guides,I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my solicitor - who is on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Fleet Mortgages will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Fleet Mortgages will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey.
You may wish to consider appointing your own surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
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Your lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Fleet Mortgages you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.
