FAQs for the Fleet Mortgages Solicitor Panel from members of the public
I was advised recently by my estate agent that my solicitor is not on the Fleet Mortgages Solicitor panel. What can I do to be certain that this is indeed the case?
You need to contact your lawyer directly. You lawyer should advise you what has happened. If they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the the approved Fleet Mortgages solicitor panel.
Expecting to complete my purchase next Friday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as as he informs me that he is duty bound to validate that it is in order for Fleet Mortgages. What does the insurance need to cover?
Any lawyer on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in Fleet Mortgages’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on Fleet Mortgages). Being on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these requirements.
Are there any apps to help find a local solicitor on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 25 kilometers to meet the conveyancer.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel search on this page. Please choose the lender and your location and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest you. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the Fleet Mortgages solicitor panel.
I am considering mortgaging my flat does my lawyer have to be on the Fleet Mortgages Conveyancing panel?
In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel, but Fleet Mortgages would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.
Is there a list of Fleet Mortgages panel solicitors on the Council of Mortgage Lender’s Website?
No. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few lenders make their panel listings available online.
We have had an offer accepted on a flat I spoke to a conveyancer previously used by my brother and he advised retaining a solicitor approved by Fleet Mortgages. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked Fleet Mortgages if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. Fleet Mortgages 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 Fleet Mortgages 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Ask Fleet Mortgages to suggest a law firm in your location. 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 Fleet Mortgages 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 Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet Fleet Mortgages’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.
My offer on house has been accepted, but there is a chain. The vendors have offered on somewhere, but not been accepted yet, and have viewings of other properties booked. My conveyancing solicitor has been instructed. What should be my next step? At what point should I appy for the mortgage with Fleet Mortgages?
It is usual to have concerns where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket too early (mortgage application is approx £1k, then survey/valuation, conveyancing search costs, etc). First you should check that your solicitor is on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel. As to the next stages this very much depends on the circumstances of your case, desire for this property and on the state of the market. In a hot mortgage some buyers would pally for the mortgage with Fleet Mortgages and pay for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they pay their solicitor to press on with searches.